Violanti Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Epidemiology

John M. Violanti, research professor of epidemiology and environmental health in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, has received the Outstanding Contributions to Epidemiology Award from the American College of Epidemiology.

The award recognizes an active epidemiologist for outstanding contributions to the field in one of three areas: methods development, etiologic research and applied epidemiology.

Violanti’s research has made significant contributions to recognizing and studying the unique health and safety concerns—suicide in particular—of first responders. His work includes a 2012 landmark study that found this population experiences significant health risks, including higher rates of chronic disease and suicide, than the general population. In 2019, he received funding from the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to study police health. And, earlier this year, he was first author on a study published in Policing: An International Journal that examined COVID-19 deaths among members of law enforcement in 2020.

Violanti brings his experience as a 23-year veteran of the New York State Police to his research and understanding of the sources and implications of police stress and psychological trauma. He has written and edited 17 books on these topics, and frequently provides expert commentary for news media organizations, among them USA Today, the BBC and The Boston Globe.