Evidence Translation on Second Hand Smoke Core

Principal Investigator: David Holtgrave, PhD

Co-investigators: Frances Stillman, EdD, Ed.M, Erika Avila-Tang, PhD, MHS

Research on tobacco-related disease has the ultimate goal of enhancing the health of exposed individuals and the public generally.  The Evidence Translation on SHS Core directed by David Holtgrave, chair of the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, was designed to promote interaction among FAMRI researchers at Johns Hopkins, and to foster the translation of research findings that may benefit public health and patient care.  This Core includes both internal functions within Johns Hopkins, and external outreach.  Within Johns Hopkins, features include a high profile seminar series heightening understanding of the global problem of SHS exposure, a website and listserve of FAMRI investigators and related researchers for internal communication and information dissemination, and establishment within the Institute for Global Tobacco Control of a clearinghouse for information on secondhand smoke, including scientific findings and policy measures.  External features include hosting focused workshops comprised of leading national and international research faculty on topics of particular relevance to SHS, and initiating international conferences to promote both monitoring and interventional strategies to limit smoke exposure in countries where SHS exposure is particularly high.  Taken together, these components both foster collaborative research and information sharing within the Hopkins community, and maximize the potential impact of that research through interaction with external collaborators and exposed populations.