MUSC Professor Daniel T. Lackland to Receive 2025 Population Research Prize for Hypertension and Stroke Prevention Work

Daniel T. Lackland, Dr.P.H., FAHA, professor of epidemiology and neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina, will receive the 2025 Population Research Prize at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The award presentation will occur during the Presidential Session on November 9, 2025, at the premier global cardiovascular science meeting in New Orleans.

Dr. Lackland's recognition stems from his extensive contributions to hypertension research, stroke prevention, and addressing cardiovascular disease outcome disparities. As director of the Division of Translational Neuroscience and Population Studies and the Master of Science in Clinical Research Program at MUSC, his work has particularly focused on understanding health differences among various communities. Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's 2025-2026 volunteer president, emphasized that Dr. Lackland's research has fundamentally shaped the understanding of hypertension and stroke in underserved populations.

The significance of Dr. Lackland's work is demonstrated by his pivotal role as chair of a 2013 American Heart Association scientific statement that documented the dramatic decline in U.S. stroke mortality from 88 to 23 per 100,000 between 1950 and 2010. This research attributed the decline primarily to aggressive hypertension treatment strategies, with Dr. Lackland's contributions leading to substantial improvements in blood pressure care over the past two decades. His current research includes serving as principal investigator for the Black Pooling Project, a national multi-cohort observational study combining data from nine large epidemiologic studies to better understand racial disparities in cardiovascular disease and hypertension among Black Americans.

Dr. Lackland's influence extends beyond his research portfolio of more than 350 peer-reviewed publications. He chairs the Executive and Steering Committees of the long-running CARDIA study and serves as chair of the Observational Study Monitoring Board for the RURAL Study. His involvement in clinical guidelines development, including the 2013 and 2017 hypertension guidelines, and his current role as editor-in-chief of the World Hypertension League Newsletter demonstrate his ongoing commitment to global circulatory health improvement. Additional information about the American Heart Association's mission can be found at https://www.heart.org.

The implications of Dr. Lackland's work and this recognition extend to cardiovascular healthcare delivery worldwide. His population-level research approach has provided evidence-based strategies that healthcare systems can implement to reduce stroke incidence and improve hypertension management. The focus on health disparities ensures that these advancements benefit all communities, particularly those historically experiencing poorer cardiovascular outcomes. Dr. Lackland's mentorship of dozens of graduate students, many now leading their own research programs, multiplies the impact of his work across generations of public health professionals.

Dr. Lackland expressed honor at receiving the award, noting his career-long focus on understanding social and biological drivers of high blood pressure and stroke. He credited colleagues, students, and community partners who share his commitment to improving population health outcomes through prevention and risk reduction. The Population Research Prize recognition underscores the critical importance of sustained population health research in addressing cardiovascular disease, which remains a leading cause of mortality globally.