معرفی
Donald W. Helme is a Professor of Communication at the University of Kentucky, affiliated with the College of Communication and Information and the Substance Use Priority Research Area. He has also held the position of Adjunct Research Professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine since 2008.
- Ph.D. in Communication, University of Kentucky (2000)
- M.A. in Communication, Eastern Michigan University (1996)
His research focuses on public health communication, particularly regarding substance use (opioid and tobacco), risk reduction, and message design for behavioral change. He has participated in funded projects receiving over $101 million in grants over the past three decades.
Dr. Helme has been the Principal Investigator on several significant studies:
- HEALing Communities Campaign Evaluation Study (NIH/NIDA)
- Development and Pilot RCT of a Text Message Intervention for Opioid Storage & Disposal
- CHASE: County-Level Public Health Response to Opioid Epidemic (Columbia University)
- MassHEAL - Overdose Death Reduction (Boston Medical Center)
His recent publications focus on opioid overdose prevention, secure storage/disposal messaging, and community stigma toward opioid use disorder. These appear in journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Substance Use & Addiction Journal, and Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment.
His research approach often involves focus groups, randomized controlled trials, and community-based research. He has developed measurement tools like the Print Perceived Message Sensation Value Scale.
Dr. Helme has received numerous awards:
- Faculty Research Award, 2020
- Community Service Award, 2017
- Graduate Mentor Award, 2012
- Teacher Who Made a Difference Award, 2019
- Top Paper Award, 2010
