Traci Toomey, PhD, MPH
Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health

Contact Info
PhD, Epidemiology, University of Minnesota
MPH, Epidemiology, University of Minnesota
BA, Psychology and Physiology, University of Minnesota
Summary
Expertise
Policy, alcohol, tobacco
Awards & Recognition
Research
Research Summary/Interests
I am an expert in public health policy, with particular expertise in alcohol control policies. I have served as the principal investigator or co-investigator of more than 30 research studies addressing policy issues. I serve as the director of the Alcohol Epidemiology Program, which has conducted studies on policy and prevention for underage alcohol use and heavy drinking, underage access to alcohol, alcohol sales to intoxicated persons, and alcohol use among different populations. I believe in conducting research that informs public health policy and practice.
Research Funding Grants
- 2012–2017, NIH Nat'l Inst. on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoh, "Intersection of Local and State Alcohol Policy: The Case of Malt Liquor," Co-Investigator
Publications
See a full list of publications on PubMed
Select Recent Publications
- McKee P, Erickson DJ, Toomey T, Nelson T, Less EL, Joshi S, Jones-Webb R. "The Impact of Single-Container Malt Liquor Sales Restrictions on Urban Crime," Journal of Urban Health, March 2017
- Lenk KM, Nelson TF, Toomey TL, Jones-Webb R, Erickson DJ. "Sobriety checkpoint and open container laws in the United States: Associations with reported drinking-driving," Traffic Injury Prevention, Nov 2016
- Toomey TL, Lenk KM, Nederhoff DM, Nelson TF, Ecklund AM, Horvath KJ, Erickson DJ. "Can Obviously Intoxicated Patrons Still Easily Buy Alcohol at On-Premise Establishments?" Alcohol Clinical & Experimental Research, Feb 2016
- Erickson DJ, Lenk KM, Toomey TL, Nelson TF, Jones-Webb R. "The alcohol policy environment, enforcement and consumption in the United States," Drug and Alcohol Review, Sept 2015
Teaching
Teaching Areas
I currently serve as the director of the Community Health Program. I have a passion for teaching and enjoy advising MPH and PhD students. The goal with my courses is to provide students with skills that will help them succeed in a wide range of public health settings. I am honored that my teaching has been recognized at the School and University levels. I was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Professors at the University of Minnesota in 2012.
Courses
- PubH 6034, Evaluation
- PubH 6045, Skills for Policy Development
- PubH 6049, Legislative Advocacy Skills for Public Health
- PubH 6051, Community Health Theory and Practice II
- PubH 6078, Public Health Policy as a Prevention Strategy
Community Engagement
Through my work, I have partnered with many local and national organizations working to reduce alcohol-related problems.
Media
In The News
SPH News
In The Media
- Heavy drinking, lack of vaccinations hurt Minnesota's health ranking (StarTribune)
- Stricter state alcohol access rules can save 800 DUI deaths a year, study says (CNN)
- Is The Current Legal Blood Alcohol Limit Too High? (CBS Minnesota)