Research Opportunities

The collections of the Center for Health Communications, which span over 200 cubic feet, are a rich resource for understanding the work of the Center as well as the professional career of Jay A. Winsten. Areas of investigation include:

  • the emerging field of health communication
  • the relationship between scientists and journalists and ways to improve it
  • improving public understanding of science
  • preventing alcohol-related traffic deaths and injuries through media campaigns
  • the role of mentorship and mentoring programs, especially with regards to underserved populations
  • creating coalitions of media companies to promote widespread adoption of healthy behaviors
  • role of Harvard and HSPH leadership, including Harvard Presidents Derek Bok and Neil Rudenstine, and HSPH Dean Howard H. Hiatt, over a span of 48 years
  • relationship between the CHC and the US government, including President Bill Clinton throughout his 8 year term
  • audiotaped, never-released interviews with former CBS President and Harvard donor Frank Stanton about his relationships with U.S. Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Baines Johnson
  • exploring private/public and private/corporate relationships to promote public health. Individuals represented include General Colin Powell, Dr. James D. Watson, Quincy Jones, Tom Wicker, Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., Grant Tinker, Walter Annenberg, Richard Menschel, Michael Dukakis, Margaret Mahoney, Robert Ebert, HRH Diana, Princess of Wales, Raymond Chambers, and others
  • other initiatives, including addressing youth violence, domestic violence, road safety, healthy youth development, adolescent drug abuse, Hollywood’s glamorization of tobacco smoking, and malaria prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Center for the History of Medicine staff are available to assist researchers in finding relevant materials and arranging for access. Please submit a request to the reference team at the Center for the History of Medicine. You may also contact the Harvard Chan School Archivist directly with questions.