Tyler VanderWeele

VanderWeele’s research has focused on causal inference in epidemiology, the study of happiness and human flourishing, as well as the relationship between religion and health.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/tyler-vanderweele/ |title=Tyler VanderWeele |website=Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health |language=en-us |access-date=2019-01-17}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5159848/do-religious-people-live-longer/ |title=You Asked: Do Religious People Live Longer? |last=Ducharme |first=Jamie |date=2018-02-15 |magazine=Time |language=en |access-date=2019-01-17}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/16/health/religion-lifespan-health/index.html |title=Going to church could help you live longer |last=Storrs |first=Carina |date=2016-05-16 |website=CNN |access-date=2019-01-17}} He is author of the book Measuring Well-Being

,{{Cite book |last1=Lee | first1=M. T. |author2-link=Laura Kubzansky | last2=Kubzansky| first2=L.D. | last3=VanderWeele | first3= T.J.|url= https://academic.oup.com/book/39523|title= Measuring Well-being: Interdisciplinary Perspectives from the Social Sciences and the Humanities | publisher= Oxford University Press |year= 2021 |isbn= 9780197512531}} along with an influential approach to conceptualizing and assessing flourishing.{{Cite journal |title= On the promotion of human flourishing |journal=PNAS |year= 2017 |doi= 10.1073/pnas.1702996114 |language=en-us |last1= Vanderweele |first1= Tyler J. |volume= 114 |issue= 31 |pages= 8148–8156 |pmid= 28705870 |pmc= 5547610 |bibcode=2017PNAS..114.8148V |doi-access= free }}

{{Cite journal |title= Human Flourishing in Cross Cultural Settings. Evidence From the United States, China, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Mexico|year= 2019|doi= 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01269|language=en-us |doi-access= free|last1= Wȩziak-Białowolska|first1= Dorota|last2= McNeely|first2= Eileen|last3= Vanderweele|first3= Tyler J.|journal= Frontiers in Psychology|volume= 10|page= 1269|pmid= 31191421|pmc= 6549439}} He has defined flourishing as a “state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good.” {{Cite journal |title= On the promotion of human flourishing |journal=PNAS |year= 2017 |doi= 10.1073/pnas.1702996114 |language=en-us |last1= Vanderweele |first1= Tyler J. |volume= 114 |issue= 31 |pages= 8148–8156 |pmid= 28705870 |pmc= 5547610 |bibcode=2017PNAS..114.8148V |doi-access= free }}{{Cite journal |title= Terminology and the Well-being Literature|journal=Affective Science |year= 2022|doi= 10.1007/s42761-022-00153-2|language=en-us |last1= Vanderweele|first1= Tyler J.|last2= Lomas|first2= Tim|volume= 4|issue= 1|pages= 36–40|pmid= 37070016|pmc= 10104989|s2cid= 252869042}} He is project co-director of the Global Flourishing Study, a $43.4 million study in collaboration with researchers at Harvard University, Baylor University, Gallup, and the Center for Open Science, with over 200,000 participants in 22 countries from six continents with five waves of annual data collection on the factors that influence human flourishing.{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2021/11/04/baylor-and-harvard-team-up-for--massive-global-study-of-human-flourishing/?sh=6bffe42250b8|title= Baylor And Harvard Team Up For Massive Global Study Of Human Flourishing|website=Forbes |language=en-us |access-date=2022-12-22}} VanderWeele also conducts research focused on theory and methods for distinguishing between association and causation in the biomedical and social sciences.{{Cite web |title=Academic Profile: Tyler J. VanderWeele |url=https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/profile/tyler-j-vanderweele/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317171311/https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/profile/tyler-j-vanderweele/ |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |access-date=March 17, 2023 |website=Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health|date=5 January 2021 }} His contributions to causal inference include introducing the E-value as a quantitative measure for sensitivity analysis {{Cite journal |last1=VanderWeele |first1=Tyler J. |last2=Ding |first2=Peng |date=2017-08-15 |title=Sensitivity Analysis in Observational Research: Introducing the E-Value |url=http://annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M16-2607 |journal=Annals of Internal Medicine |language=en |volume=167 |issue=4 |pages=268–274 |doi=10.7326/M16-2607 |pmid=28693043 |s2cid=207538791 |issn=0003-4819|url-access=subscription }} and advances in mediation analysis {{Cite journal |last1=Tai |first1=An-Shun |last2=Lin |first2=Sheng-Hsuan |last3=Chu |first3=Yu-Cheng |last4=Yu |first4=Tsung |last5=Puhan |first5=Milo A. |last6=VanderWeele |first6=Tyler |date=2023 |title=Causal Mediation Analysis with Multiple Time-varying Mediators |url=https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EDE.0000000000001555 |journal=Epidemiology |language=en |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=8–19 |doi=10.1097/EDE.0000000000001555 |pmid=36455244 |s2cid=246862899 |issn=1044-3983|url-access=subscription }} along with the book, Explanation in Causal Inference, on the topic.{{Cite book | last = VanderWeele | first = Tyler J. | authorlink = Tyler J. VanderWeele | title = Explanation in Causal Inference: Methods for Mediation and Interaction | publisher = Oxford University Press | series = | year = 2015 | doi = | isbn = 9780199325870 }}

His work on causal inference is grounded in the potential outcomes framework, which is a popular approach, but not embraced by everyone.{{cite journal |last1=Vandenbroucke|first1=JP |last2=Broadbent|first2=A |last3=Pearce|first3=N |date=2016 |title= Causality and causal inference in epidemiology: the need for a pluralistic approach |url= https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/45/6/1776/2617148 |journal= International Journal of Epidemiology |volume=45 |issue=6 |pages= 1776–1786|doi=10.1093/ije/dyv341 |pmid=26800751 |pmc=5841832 }}{{cite journal |last1=Krieger|first1=N |last2=Davey Smith|first2=G | date=2016 |title= The tale wagged by the DAG: broadening the scope of causal inference and explanation for epidemiology |url= https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/45/6/1787/2617188 | journal= International Journal of Epidemiology |volume=45 |issue=6 |pages= 1787–1808|doi=10.1093/ije/dyw114 |pmid=27694566 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=VanderWeele |first1=TJ |date=2017 |title= Commentary: On Causes, Causal Inference, and Potential Outcomes |url= https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/45/6/1809/2960069 |journal= International Journal of Epidemiology |volume=45 |issue=6 |pages= 1809–1816|doi=10.1093/ije/dyw230 |pmid=28130319 |pmc=5841618 }}

He is also an author of the book Modern Epidemiology, described as “the standard textbook in all academic institutions for a long time to come… as a reference and encyclopedia.” {{cite journal |last1=Ahlbom|first1=A | date=2021 |title= Modern Epidemiology, 4th edition. TL Lash, TJ VanderWeele, S Haneuse, KJ Rothman. Wolters Kluwer | journal= European Journal of Epidemiology |volume=36 |issue= 8|pages= 767–768|doi=10.1007/s10654-021-00778-w |pmid=34216355 |pmc=8416883 |s2cid=235723748 }}

VanderWeele has published studies on religious service attendance and its relation to lowering mortality, depression, suicide, divorce, and improving many other outcomes.{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1= S |last2= Stampfer |first2=MJ |last3= Williams |first3=DR |last4=VanderWeele| first4=TJ | date=2016 |title= Association of Religious Service Attendance With Mortality Among Women |journal= JAMA Internal Medicine |volume=176 |issue=6 |pages= 777–785 |doi= 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.1615 |pmid= 27183175 |pmc= 5503841 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1= S |last2= Okereke |first2=O |last3= Kawachi |first3=I |last4=VanderWeele| first4=TJ | date=2016 |title= Religious Service Attendance and Lower Depression Among Women: a Prospective Cohort Study |journal= Annals of Behavioral Medicine |volume=50 |issue=6 |pages= 876–884|doi= 10.1007/s12160-016-9813-9 |pmid= 27393076 |pmc= 5127763 |s2cid= 3697758 }}{{cite journal |last1=VanderWeele |first1= TJ |last2= Li |first2=S |last3= Tsai |first3=AC |last4=Kawachi| first4=I | date=2016 |title= Association Between Religious Service Attendance and Lower Suicide Rates Among US Women | url= https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2529152 | journal= JAMA Network |volume=73 |issue=8 |pages= 845–851 }}{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1= S |last2= Kubzansky |first2=LD |last3= VanderWeele |first3=TJ | date=2018 |title= Religious service attendance, divorce, and remarriage among U.S. nurses in mid and late life |journal= PLOS ONE |volume=13 |issue=12 |pages= e0207778|doi= 10.1371/journal.pone.0207778 |pmid= 30507933 |pmc= 6277070 |bibcode= 2018PLoSO..1307778L |doi-access= free }}{{cite journal |last1=Chen |first1= Y |last2= Kim |first2=ES |last3=VanderWeele| first3=TJ | date=2020 |title= Religious-service attendance and subsequent health and well-being throughout adulthood: evidence from three prospective cohorts |url= https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/49/6/2030/5892419|journal= International Journal of Epidemiology |volume=49 |issue=6 |pages= 2030–2040|doi= 10.1093/ije/dyaa120 |pmid= 32793951 |pmc= 7825951 }}

VanderWeele is recipient of the Mortimer Spiegelman Award from the American Public Health Association (2014); the John Snow Award from the American Public Health Association (2017);{{

cite web| url= https://sakai.unc.edu/access/content/user/vschoenb/Public%20Library/Organizations/PHprofSoc/EPIDsoc/APHAepid/APHA-EPIDsectionAwards2017.pdf| title=APHA Awards Ceremony and Wade Hampton Frost Lecture}} and the Presidents’ Award from the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS) (2017) for “fundamental contributions to causal inference and the understanding of causal mechanisms; for profound advancement of epidemiologic theory and methods and the application of statistics throughout medical and social sciences; and for excellent service to the profession including exceptional contributions to teaching, mentoring, and bridging many academic disciplines with statistics.”{{cite web| url= https://community.amstat.org/copss/awards/presidents | title= Presidents' Award from the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies}} He was elected a Fellow of the American Statistical Association in 2014, the American Academy of Catholic Scholars and Artists (2021),{{cite web| url= https://aacsa.webflow.io/members/tyler-j-vanderweele| title= American Academy of Catholic Scholars and Artists }} the International Society for Science and Religion (2021), and the International Positive Psychology Association (2021).{{cite web| url= https://ippanetwork.org/about-ippa/ippa-fellows-2021/| title= IPPA Fellows 2021}} He served as the George Eastman Visiting Professor at Balliol College, University of Oxford, during the 2019-2020 academic year. In 2020, he received an honorary doctorate from the Catholic University of America for “ongoing efforts to serve vulnerable populations and develop a fuller understanding of the factors that contribute to human flourishing.”{{cite web| url=https://communications.catholic.edu/news/2020/05/honorary-degrees.html| title= University Honors Four for Dedicated Service, Distinguished Contributions, and Dazzling Achievements}}

VanderWeele’s research on well-being and on religion has been covered by the New York Times,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/05/04/well/mind/languishing-definition-flourishing-quiz.html|

title=Are You Flourishing? Take the Quiz |date=2021-05-04 |magazine=The New York Times |language=en |access-date=2023-02-04 }} USA Today,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/03/21/study-leaving-religion-sex-abuse-scandals-affects-public-health-column/3224575002/|title=Religion's health effects should make doubting parishioners reconsider leaving |date=2019-03-21|magazine=USA Today |language=en |access-date=2023-02-04 }} Washington Post,{{Cite magazine |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/05/16/another-possible-benefit-of-going-to-worship-services-a-33-percent-chance-of-living-longer/|title= Another possible benefit of going to church: A 33 percent chance of living longer |date=2016-05-16|magazine=Washington Post |language=en |access-date=2023-02-04 }} Chicago Tribune,{{Cite magazine |url= https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=3d90a726-298f-4812-be86-acaa5cdaeb48 |title= Going to church may be good for longevity |date= |magazine=Chicago Tribune |language=en |access-date=2023-02-05 }} TIME Magazine,{{Cite magazine |url= https://time.com/5159848/do-religious-people-live-longer/ |title= You Asked: Do Religious People Live Longer?|date=2018-02-15|magazine=Time Magazine |language=en |access-date=2023-02-05 }} The Economist,{{Cite magazine |url= https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/10/31/a-tale-of-mistake-and-retraction-shows-that-science-works-eventually |title= A tale of mistake and retraction shows that science works—eventually|date=2019-10-31|magazine=Time Magazine |language=en |access-date=2023-02-05 }} CBS,{{Cite magazine |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/attending-religious-services-may-help-you-live-longer-study-says/|title= Could religion help you live longer?|date=2016-05-16|magazine=CBS |language=en |access-date=2023-02-05 }} and CNN.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/16/health/religion-lifespan-health/index.html|title=Going to church could help you live longer, study says|date=2016-05-16|magazine=CNN |language=en |access-date=2023-02-05 }} He has frequently contributed to Psychology Today on topics concerning human flourishing.

VanderWeele was instrumental in establishing the Flourishing Network, which, through the Human Flourishing Program, serves over 200 community leaders, educators, scholars, business executives, entrepreneurs, and medical professionals in translating research on flourishing into best practices for the promotion of human well-being.

{{Cite web |url=https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/flourishing-network |title=Flourishing Network|website=Flourishing Network |language=en-us |access-date=2023-02-20}}

VanderWeele has expressed strong support for academic freedom of expression,{{Cite magazine |url= https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/08/ivy-league-scholars-urge-students-think-for-yourself/538317/ |title= Ivy League Scholars Urge Students: 'Think for Yourself' |last= Friedersdorf |first=Conor |date=2017-08-29 |magazine=The Atlantic |language=en |access-date=2023-03-23}} and is a member of the Academic Freedom Alliance, the Heterodox Academy,{{Cite web |url=https://academicfreedom.org/members/ |title= Academic Freedom Alliance |website=Academic Freedom Alliance |language=en-us |access-date=2023-03-23}} and [https://sites.harvard.edu/cafh/ Harvard’s Council on Academic Freedom].

He is a regular contributor to the Institute for Family Studies.{{Cite web |url= https://ifstudies.org/blog/author/tyler-j-vanderweele |title= IFS |website=Institute of Family Studies |language=en-us |access-date=2023-03-23}} In 2015, VanderWeele was one of 47 scholars who filed an amicus brief in support of respondents and affirmance in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015).{{Cite web |title=Obergefell v. Hodges |url=https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/obergefell-v-hodges/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224014031/https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/obergefell-v-hodges/ |archive-date=2023-02-24 |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=SCOTUSblog |language=en-US}} The amici curiae argued that there is no Constitutional right to same-sex marriage, concluding that, “State decisions reflecting the views of citizens about a matter as fundamental as the definition of marriage… must be left free to reconcile moral claims and interests rather than being compelled to accept the federal courts’ settlement of such delicate considerations.”

[http://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/14-55614-56214-57114-574bsac47Scholars.pdf Brief of amici curiae: 47 scholars in support of respondents and affirmance in OBERGEFELL vs. HODGES.] p 5. He has been an advocate for addressing issues of healing and prevention from childhood sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and in other religious and secular organizations. This work has included the organization of an International Symposium on this topic,{{Cite web |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/human-flourishing/202103/preventing-and-healing-child-abuse-in-religious-communities |website=Psychology Today | title= Preventing and Healing Child Abuse in Religious Communities|language=en-us |access-date=2023-02-20}} and efforts to establish a United Nations World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/un-names-world-day-for-prevention-of-child-sexual-abuse-exploitation/|website=Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health | title= UN names World Day for prevention of child sexual abuse, exploitation|language=en-us| date=2016-05-16|access-date=2023-02-20}}

VanderWeele is a frequent speaker at academic, community, and religious organizations, and has delivered keynote addresses at scientific conferences in the United States, Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America.

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Category:Living people

Category:Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty

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