Innovative Research Award
Heather Platter
University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Public Health Sciences,
United States
Heather Platter, is a public health scientist and academic researcher whose work centers on cancer prevention, health literacy, behavioral health communication, health decision-making, and cancer survivorship research. Currently serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Dr. Platter has developed an interdisciplinary research portfolio that integrates qualitative methods, behavioral science, health communication frameworks, and implementation research to improve public health outcomes.[1]
Abstract
Heather Platter, is a public health researcher specializing in cancer prevention, health literacy, behavioral science, and health communication. Her academic work focuses on improving informed decision-making, reducing health misinformation, and enhancing communication strategies related to cancer screening, survivorship, and public health interventions. Through interdisciplinary research integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies, she has contributed to advancing evidence-based health communication practices. Her scholarly achievements, leadership roles, funded research initiatives,and mentorship activities demonstrate an ongoing commitment to improving population health outcomes and strengthening public health systems.[2]
Keywords
Public Health • Cancer Prevention • Health Literacy • Behavioral Science • Cancer Communication • Risk Communication • Cancer Survivorship • Mixed Methods Research • Health Decision-Making • Tobacco Control • Community Health • Health Misinformation
Introduction
Platter completed undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Florida before earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Behavioral and Community Health from the University of Maryland. Additional graduate certificates in Global Health, Social and Behavioral Public Health, and Non-Profit Management strengthened her interdisciplinary academic foundation.[1]
Her postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute contributed significantly to her expertise in behavioral research, cancer prevention, and public communication strategies. She later joined the University of Virginia School of Medicine as Assistant Professor, continuing work at the intersection of communication science and population health.[3]
Research Profile
- Cancer prevention communication research
- Health literacy assessment and intervention science
- Behavioral public health
- Cancer screening communication
- Risk visualization methodologies
- Health misinformation mitigation strategies
- Qualitative and mixed-methods research
- Patient-provider communication studies
Research Contributions
Platter has contributed to understanding health literacy challenges and communication barriers affecting informed health decisions. Her studies examining health insurance literacy among cancer survivors have expanded understanding of decision-making complexities experienced by patients navigating cancer treatment systems.[4]
Her work investigating cancer screening information-seeking behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed evidence regarding communication adaptation during public health emergencies.[5]
Research involving health misinformation interventions explored psychological inoculation and self-affirmation approaches for improving public resilience against misleading health information.
Publications
Heather Platter’s publication record reflects significant contributions to public health communication, cancer prevention, health literacy, and behavioral science. Her peer-reviewed research addresses cancer survivorship, health misinformation, screening communication, and patient decision-making. Through interdisciplinary scholarship published in respected journals, her work advances evidence-based approaches to improving health communication strategies and public health outcomes.
Research Impact
Platter’s work demonstrates sustained influence across cancer prevention, health communication, and literacy research. Citation activity reported within her academic record reflects uptake of her work by scholars investigating behavioral science, communication frameworks, and preventive medicine. Leadership appointments within the National Cancer Institute and mentoring activities further indicate broader contributions beyond publication output.
Award Suitability
Heather Platter demonstrates characteristics commonly associated with academic recognition in public health sciences, including sustained scholarly productivity, interdisciplinary research development, mentorship contributions, leadership service, funded research participation, and innovation in communication science. Her work connecting health literacy and cancer prevention supports broader public health objectives aimed at improving informed decision-making and health equity.
Conclusion
Heather Platter has developed a research portfolio positioned at the intersection of behavioral science, communication, and cancer prevention. Through scholarly publications, mentorship, leadership activities, and translational health communication research, her contributions reflect ongoing efforts to improve evidence-based public health practice and cancer prevention communication systems.[1]
External Links
References
- Platter, H. N., Vanderpool, R. C., Davidoff, A. J., de Moor, J. S., & Williams, C. P. (2025). Understanding cancer survivor cost communication experiences and preferences. Supportive Care in Cancer, 33, 450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09506-6
- Williams, C., Platter, H., Davidoff, A., Vanderpool, R., Pisu, M., & de Moor, J. (2023). “It’s just not easy to understand”: Health insurance literacy and insurance plan decision-making in cancer survivors. Cancer Medicine, 12(14), 15424–15434. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.6133
- Seidenberg, A. B., Wiseman, K. P., Eck, R. H., Blake, K. D., Platter, H., & Klein, W. M. P. (2022). Alcohol consumption, awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen, and support for alcohol control policies. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 62(2), 174–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.07.005
- Iles, I. A., Gillman, A. S., Platter, H., Ferrer, R. A., & Klein, W. M. P. (2021). Investigating the potential of inoculation messages and self-affirmation in reducing the effects of health science misinformation. Science Communication, 43(6), 768–804. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470211048480
- Platter, H., & Pokorny, S. (2017). Smoke-free signage in public parks: Impacts on smoking behaviour. Tobacco Control, 27(4), 470–473. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053624