Betsy Mitchell earned a Master’s Degree in Health Communication at Emerson College in Boston Massachusetts in 1996 and a doctorate in Communication Science at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Connecticut in 2001.  Dr. Mitchell is a senior health communication specialist in the Health Communication Branch (HCB) in the Office on Smoking and Health.  Her main areas of focus in HCB include: audience research, message development, and communication surveillance and counter marketing.


Betsy has participated in risk communication and response both nationally and internationally and has received awards for her teamwork and distinguished service in these efforts.  In addition, she has worked on a variety of health campaigns to include: physical activity, nutrition, child and maternal health, youth alcohol behavior, AIDS, and violence prevention.  Before joining CDC, Betsy was a private consultant as well as a communication faculty member at Eastern Connecticut State University.