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
Decoding anti-vaping campaigns
Seth Noar, PhD, and Sarah Kowitt, PhD, MPH, investigate the factors that make vaping prevention ads effective for adolescents and young adults.
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.
