Dr. JoAnn E. Manson is a distinguished leader in preventive medicine and women's health research, currently serving as Chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She holds the prestigious position of Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health at Harvard Medical School while maintaining a professorship in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. As a dual-qualified physician and epidemiologist with both MD and DrPH credentials, Dr. Manson has established herself as a pioneering figure in cardiovascular disease prevention research. Her leadership extends to major national initiatives as she served as President of the North American Menopause Society from 2011 to 2012 and continues to shape clinical practice through her influential research programs.
Dr. Manson's groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of nutritional and lifestyle interventions for preventing chronic diseases. She serves as Principal Investigator for several landmark studies including the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL), which has enrolled over 25,000 participants to assess the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 supplements on cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other health outcomes. Her work on the Women's Health Initiative Clinical Center in Boston and the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) has provided critical evidence for clinical practice guidelines worldwide. With more than 1,100 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Manson has made seminal contributions to understanding the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogens as determinants of chronic disease outcomes, particularly in women.
Beyond her research achievements, Dr. Manson has significantly influenced public health through her accessible communication of scientific findings to both medical professionals and the general public. She is widely recognized for translating complex epidemiological data into practical health recommendations, as evidenced by her co-authored book The 30-Minute Fitness Solution which promotes sensible lifestyle modifications for long-term health benefits. Her election to the National Academy of Medicine and receipt of numerous prestigious awards including the American Heart Association's Distinguished Scientist Award underscore her field leadership. Currently, Dr. Manson continues to pioneer research on vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutritional factors while mentoring the next generation of preventive medicine specialists, ensuring her impactful work will continue to shape cardiovascular health research for decades to come.
