Patti Truant Anderson

Patti Truant Anderson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, and Policy Director at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF). She holds a PhD and MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a BA in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Her work focuses on advancing equitable food systems, public health communication, and environmental justice. She teaches courses on risk sciences, public policy, and media communications for public health practitioners.

Education

• PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2014
• MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2009
• BA in Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park

Research Interests

Dr. Anderson’s research addresses the intersection of food production practices, public health, and environmental sustainability. Key areas include:

• Equitable food systems policy
• Risk communication strategies
• Environmental justice in agriculture
• Public health implications of food waste

Publications & Policy Work

Her research spans food systems sustainability, cancer cluster investigations, and media framing of public health policies. Recent work highlights consumer attitudes toward food waste and communication strategies for health policies like New York City’s sugary beverage cap.

Awards

• Multiple Excellence in Teaching Awards (2016–2024)

Advising & Grants

As a faculty member, she emphasizes practical skills in media communication and policy engagement. While no listed advisees, her courses mentor public health professionals in advocacy and policy translation.

Labs & Teams

Leads policy initiatives at the CLF, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to translate research into actionable public health policies.