Health, Behavior and Society
We discover and apply ways to change human behavior to improve public health.
Health, Behavior and Society Headlines
What We Know (and Don’t) About Nicotine Pouches
A recent addition to smoking-alternative products is the oral nicotine pouch, which contains crystalized nicotine powder and comes in a variety of flavors—and appeals to the youth market.
Student Spotlight: Kelsie Parker
Kelsie Parker—a student in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society’s MHS program—reflects on applying her sociology training to address health inequities, conducting research with CCP and The Lighthouse, and connecting with an interdisciplinary Departmental community.
The Public Health Strategy Behind Baltimore’s Record-Low Infant Mortality Rate
B’more for Healthy Babies helped reduce the city’s infant mortality rate to record lows. Now, CCP looks to replicate that success in more communities.
What We Do in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society
Our Department is dedicated to research, education, and practice on public health issues rooted in human behavior and social conditions—from smoking and substance use to diabetes and HIV and more. We develop and evaluate individually targeted interventions, work with communities to address social factors that affect health, and improve public policy and other structural factors to improve the health of millions at a time.
Learn how the Department of Health, Behavior and Society partners with communities to change behaviors, eliminate health disparities, and improve the health of their citizens.
Health, Behavior and Society Highlights
8
HBS-led centers, institutes, and units
55+
Primary HBS faculty
2
HBS faculty members named to the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Insights and Sciences for Health
130+
HBS master's and doctoral students
Health, Behavior and Society Programs
We offer three master's degrees, one PhD, and seven certificate programs focused on behavioral and societal impacts on public health.
We also offer two combined bachelor's/master's degrees to Johns Hopkins University undergraduate students of all majors.
Master of Health Science (MHS) in Social Factors in Health
The MHS in Social Factors in Health is an advanced, STEM-designated research degree offering training in theory and methods of social and behavioral sciences and public health.
Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Health Education and Health Communication
The MSPH in Health Education and Health Communication offers specialized academic training in health education, health promotion, and health communication.
Master of Science (ScM) in Genetic Counseling
The ScM in Genetic Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to provide genetic counseling with an emphasis on clients’ psychological and educational needs.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social and Behavioral Sciences
The PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences trains graduates to apply social and behavioral science perspectives to research on contemporary health issues.
Centers and Institutes in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society
We are home to eight Centers, Institutes, and Units that engage in research and practice around our work.
Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs
Center for Qualitative Studies in Health and Medicine
Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC)
Institute for Health and Productivity Studies (IHPS)
Lighthouse Studies at Peer Point
SOURCE, Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center
SPARC Women's Center
Gender Equity Unit
Health, Behavior and Society Faculty
Get to know our HBS faculty members.
Joanna Cohen, PhD, MHSc, is Chair of the Department of Health, Behavior & Society. She conducts research and capacity building to inform and advance interventions to eliminate tobacco-caused death and disease.
Lisa Cooper, MD, MPH '93, works to advance health equity with scholarship on racial disparities in patient-physician communication and community-informed interventions.
Lauren Czaplicki, PhD '18, MPH, applies a critical public health research lens to understand corporate influence on health and policymaking.
Melissa Davey-Rothwell, PhD '07, MPH, is a behavioral scientist who studies the implementation of evidence-based interventions in community-based settings.
Support Our Department
A gift to our department can help to provide student scholarships and internships, attract and retain faculty, and support innovation.