Steven Kelder, PhD, MPH
Professor, Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences
Beth Toby Grossman Distinguished Professorship in Spirituality and Healing
[email protected]
Dr. Kelder has more than 25 years of experience in design and evaluation of child and adolescent research, particularly interventions directed towards youth, schools, and parents. Recently, his emphasis is on interventions designed for promotion of physical activity, healthy eating, oral health, obesity prevention, e-cigarette prevention. Dr. Kelder is one of the lead investigators for CATCH, a research-based program that guides schools, families and children in the process of being healthy, reaching more than a million Texas children.
Dr. Kelder served with Center faculty member Dr. Bill Kohl on the IOM committee on Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation. The committee published its report in 2012 in conjunction with the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary special on obesity in America, Weight of the Nation.
In 2014, Dr. Kelder, with Center Director Dr. Deanna Hoelscher and MPH graduate Duncan Van Dusen, initiated the CATCH Global Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity devoted to training and disseminating the CATCH portfolio of child health programs. To date, the CGF has raised over ten million dollars, with more than 85% of it going to direct service provision to preschools, K-8 schools, YMCA, Jewish community centers, and public Headstart centers.
Dr. Kelder also served with Center faculty members Dr. Cheryl Perry, Dr. MeLisa Creamer, and Dr. Melissa Harrell all of whom were senior scientific editors of the 2016 Surgeon General’s report on e-cigarettes. The report declares e-cigarette use among U.S. youth and young adults a major public health concern. As a result of working on the report, Dr. Kelder produced the CATCH My Breath program, which is being used in all 50 states.
