Bridging Science to Practice: How FDA Applies Dissemination and Implementation Science Frameworks to Support Tobacco Public Education

Abstract

The field of dissemination and implementation science facilitates the translation of research into practice and is especially relevant to tobacco control contexts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products manages a robust research portfolio to inform public health programs that educate, prevent, and reduce tobacco use. Research translation is a critical component of Center for Tobacco Products’ comprehensive tobacco regulatory framework, which aims to reduce the population-level impact of tobacco use. This paper describes how Center for Tobacco Products applies dissemination and implementation science frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of tobacco prevention and education programs, including “The Real Cost” campaign and other educational activities. The RE-AIM framework applies an implementation science lens to Center for Tobacco Products’ flagship youth tobacco prevention brand, “The Real Cost,” which has demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing youth tobacco initiation. The Knowledge-to-Action Framework describes Center for Tobacco Products’ dissemination science application, with a focus on knowledge creation and synthesis for various audiences, including academia, educators, and parents. The integration of these dissemination and implementation science frameworks into Center for Tobacco Products’ public education program ensures continuous feedback between research and practice, ultimately maximizing the public health impact and population-level benefit.