PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control
Area of Interest
Sarah Kowitt, PhD, MPH, is a behavioral scientist who researches how regulations, policies, and communication campaigns can prevent and reduce tobacco use and contribute to cancer prevention. Her research is currently supported by a career development award (K01) from NCI / FDA. This grant focuses on developing and evaluating communication messages to reduce youth dual and poly tobacco use.
Kowitt also conducts research on how to strengthen cigar warning labels using a variety of different methodologies, including discrete choice experiments, qualitative research, online experiments, content analyses, and RCTs. In a separate line of cancer prevention research, Kowitt has also examined how tobacco retailer density and exposure to tobacco advertising influences the tobacco use behaviors of youth and young adults.
Awards and Honors
- SBM Presentation Citation Award, 2022
- UNC Impact Award, 2018
- Theta Chapter of Delta Omega, 2013
News and Stories
Study finds youth have misperceptions about synthetic nicotine in e-cigarettes
Seth Noar, PhD, Sarah Kowitt, PhD, MPH, and colleagues report in a study that there is widespread uncertainty and misperceptions about the sources of nicotine in e-cigarettes among youth.
Though concerned about COVID-19, cigar smokers are smoking more, survey finds
Published survey results from Sarah Kowitt, PhD, MPH, and Adam Goldstein, MD, MPH, found that more than twice as many cigar smokers reported increased tobacco use since the pandemic’s onset.
Goldstein to use $2.7M NCI grant to develop, test warnings for little cigars, cigarillos
The National Cancer Institute has awarded University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher Adam Goldstein, MD, MPH, a five-year, $2.7 million grant to develop more effective health warnings for little cigars and cigarillos. Nearly 12 million U.S. adults reported smoking cigars within a single month, according to 2016 national survey, and little cigars …
Adolescents not susceptible to cigarette smoking are using e-cigarettes
In a study led by UNC Lineberger's Adam Goldstein, MD, researchers found that efforts are needed to help youth remain nicotine free – especially those adolescents who aren’t otherwise susceptible to smoking cigarettes.
