Professor Dr. Walter C. Willett, MD, MPH, Dr.PH
Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
United States of America
Professor Dr. Walter C. Willett received a medical degree from the University of Michigan and an advanced degree in public health from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Professor Willett is recognized as a pioneer in modern nutritional epidemiology, as he directed many influential studies on diet, lifestyle, and chronic disease. His research has transformed global understanding of nutrition and driven major public health policy changes.
One of his landmark studies provided the first conclusive evidence linking trans fat consumption to increased risk of coronary heart disease. This discovery led to a ban on trans fats in many countries and the World Health Organization’s global initiative to eliminate trans fats, which is projected to prevent over 250,000 premature deaths from heart disease each year.
Professor Dr. Willett also dispelled long-standing misconceptions that all types of dietary fats are harmful, demonstrating that fat quality, not total fat quantity, is the key determinant of cardiovascular risk. Moreover, his studies highlighted the health risks of high intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars, showing that diets with a high glycemic index significantly increase the risk of chronic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes.
His findings reinforced the principle that most chronic diseases are preventable, including coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, through improved diet and lifestyle. In 2019, he proposed the concept of a “Planetary Health Diet” which could reduce premature mortality by up to 30%, equivalent to 15 million lives saved per year.
For his invaluable contributions and groundbreaking work in nutrition research, which have profoundly influenced global health promotion and the development of public health policies for disease prevention, benefiting the health and well-being of hundreds of millions of people worldwide.