Dr. Mamudu Addresses Tobacco Use through Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Dr. Hadii Mamudu, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Services Management and Policy in the College of Public Health, has worked extensively in his career to combat tobacco use through policy analysis and advocacy. 

His research, including four of his articles, has been referenced in the National Cancer Institute’s recent monograph, “The Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Control.”  This monograph, the 21st volume in the series, represents a partnership between the National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization.

According to the monograph, “Research to address the tobacco epidemic is important because tobacco use accounts for about six million deaths worldwide every year, including one in every five cancer deaths.”  Dr. Mamudu indicated that much of these deaths are preventable through evidence-based policies and programs and he is glad to contribute towards that through research and advocacy. Dr. Mamudu has significantly contributed to the body of research with numerous peer-reviewed publications and with three books which he authored or co-authored. 

"Tobacco remains the leading behavioral cause of death in the United States,” Dean Randy Wykoff commented. “It is a special problem in Appalachian Tennessee, with every county in the region having a smoking rate higher than the national average."

In conjunction with his research, Dr. Mamudu coordinates the Tobacco Policy Research Program at East Tennessee State University.  Composed of a multidisciplinary team of public health professionals, the research program integrates causal and intervention-based approaches to reduce tobacco use and tobacco-attributable diseases at the domestic and international levels.

Among the causal approaches, the research program examines the prevalence of tobacco use at the local/community, national and international levels, and among several population sub-groups, including children, adolescents and young adults. In addition, the program incorporates social behavioral theories and systems networks principles to understand tobacco use behavior. On the intervention front, the program seeks to combat tobacco use through policy analysis and advocacy.

Dr. Mamudu has been recognized for his research on tobacco control, which has had impact on policy/program and advocacy initiatives in Tennessee and around the world, as well as for his service to the American Public Health Association and the public health profession. 

Dr. Wykoff concluded, "It has been estimated that over 400,000 deaths each year in the United States are due to tobacco.  It is essential that we have public health researchers like Dr. Mamudu who are committed to fighting this public health challenge."