Dr. Lawrence J. Appel, MD, MPH

Lawrence J. Appel, MD, MPH, works as a physician and clinical trialist in diet and blood pressure at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, with a career centred on diet and blood pressure, hypertension prevention and clinical trials. The current appointment of Dr. Lawrence Appel is C. David Molina Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and International Health.

He directed the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research from 2010 to 2024 and retired from the full-time Johns Hopkins faculty in July 2026, continuing research as a part-time faculty member. He is a recipient of the Research Achievement Award from the American Heart Association.

A medically qualified nutrition researcher brings clinical understanding to the design of trials and cohort studies, which is part of why findings from this group translate readily into guidelines. Dr. Lawrence Appel works in diet and blood pressure, hypertension prevention and clinical trials.

Dr. Lawrence Appel Professional Snapshot

• Full Name And Credentials: Lawrence J. Appel, MD, MPH
• Profession: Physician and clinical trialist in diet and blood pressure
• Field Of Focus: Diet and blood pressure, hypertension prevention and clinical trials
• Current Position: C. David Molina Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and International Health
• Institution: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Location: Baltimore, Maryland
• Sees Patients: No, this specialist works in research and education
• Previous Appointments: Directed the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research from 2010 to 2024 and retired from the full-time Johns Hopkins faculty in July 2026, continuing research as a part-time faculty member

Dr. Lawrence Appel Degrees, Doctorate And Registration

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Undergraduate: AB in biochemistry, Dartmouth College, 1977
• Medical Degree: MD, New York University School of Medicine, 1981
• Residency: General internal medicine, Baltimore City Hospital, now Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 1981 to 1985, serving as Chief Medical Resident
• Fellowship: Internal medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1989
• Graduate Degree: MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1989
• Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1984

Dr. Lawrence Appel Scope Of Work

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. Lawrence Appel as centred on:

• Dietary patterns and blood pressure control
• Sodium and potassium intake
• Controlled feeding studies and behavioural intervention trials
• Chronic kidney disease epidemiology
• Reducing racial disparities in cardiovascular health

Institutional And Advisory Roles Of Dr. Lawrence Appel

• C. David Molina Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and International Health, Johns Hopkins University
• Former Director, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, 2010 to 2024
• Medical Director of the ProHealth Clinical Research Unit from 1996 to 2026
• Lead author of the DASH trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1997, which established the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan
• Chaired the Institute of Medicine committee on dietary reference intakes for sodium, potassium and water
• Member of the 2005 and 2010 United States Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committees
• Chaired the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee and its Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health

Dr. Lawrence Appel Research Output And Awards

• Research Achievement Award, American Heart Association, 2026, announced in October 2026 and presented at the Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago
• Elected to the Institute of Medicine, now the National Academy of Medicine, 2012
• Inaugural holder of the C. David Molina Professorship, 2014
• Conner Award Lecturer, American Heart Association, 2010
• Women Faculty Sponsorship Award, Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine, 2016
• More than 40 years of research at a single institution, with work that shaped national dietary guidance

Where Dr. Lawrence Appel Is Based

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health

Baltimore, Maryland. This is an academic and research base rather than a patient clinic. Enquiries about research, teaching or media are handled by the institution rather than by this directory.

Understanding Diet And Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular nutrition studies how diet affects blood pressure, blood cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Landmark feeding trials in this field established that cutting sodium and following a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy lowers blood pressure measurably, and that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat improves the blood lipid profile. Guidance from this work sits behind most national heart health dietary advice.

Specialists Working Alongside Dr. Lawrence Appel In This Field

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of nutrition:

• Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, cardiovascular nutrition at Pennsylvania State University
• Dr. Antonia Trichopoulou, Mediterranean diet science at Hellenic Health Foundation and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine
• Dr. Emilio Ros, Mediterranean diet research at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute
• Dr. Evangeline Mantzioris, Mediterranean diet and sports nutrition at Adelaide University, formerly the University of South Australia

Browse the full dietitian and nutritionist directory for more specialists.

Reaching The Team Of Dr. Lawrence Appel

This specialist does not offer individual consultations. Dr. Lawrence Appel works in research, teaching and public health nutrition. Dr. Lawrence Appel is a primary care internist by training, board certified in internal medicine, whose work has been in clinical trials and population research. Research, teaching and media enquiries go to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health directly. For personal dietary advice, see a dietitian or nutritionist registered in your own country, or use the enquiry button on this page and we will point you towards a practising specialist in the directory.

Common Questions About Dr. Lawrence Appel

What are the qualifications of Dr. Lawrence Appel?

Lawrence J. Appel, MD, MPH. American Board of Internal Medicine, 1984.

What position does Dr. Lawrence Appel hold?

Dr. Lawrence Appel is C. David Molina Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and International Health, based at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health.

What is Diet And Blood Pressure?

Diet And Blood Pressure is the area of nutrition science concerned with diet and blood pressure, hypertension prevention and clinical trials. Specialists working in it, including Dr. Lawrence Appel, study how diet relates to health and translate those findings into guidance.

Has Dr. Lawrence Appel received professional recognition?

Yes. Research Achievement Award, American Heart Association, 2026, announced in October 2026 and presented at the Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago. Further awards and distinctions are listed above.

Does Dr. Lawrence Appel hold leadership roles in the field?

Yes. C. David Molina Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and International Health, Johns Hopkins University. A fuller list of appointments appears above.

Can I rely on dietary advice published by Dr. Lawrence Appel?

Published work by Dr. Lawrence Appel is peer reviewed and sourced, and is a reasonable guide to the evidence. It is not personal medical advice. Anyone who is pregnant, taking medication for blood sugar or blood pressure, or living with kidney, liver or digestive disease should get individual advice before changing their diet.

Verified Sources For Dr. Lawrence Appel

• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health faculty profile
• Johns Hopkins Medicine clinician profile
• Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research

Compilation And Review Notes For Dr. Lawrence Appel

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Update note: Directed the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research from 2010 to 2024 and retired from the full-time Johns Hopkins faculty in July 2026, continuing research as a part-time faculty member.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Health Information Disclaimer For The Dr. Lawrence Appel Profile

Information only, not medical or dietary advice, and not a listing for appointments. For individual guidance, see a registered dietitian or your own doctor.