The Department of Health, Behavior and Society was established in the summer of 2005 with a mission dedicated to research and training that advances scientific understanding of the impact of the societal context and behavior on health. Planning began in May 2003, when the School announced that it would establish the new department with a $20 million gift from an anonymous donor. A Behavior and Health Planning Committee chaired by Dr. Scott Zeger and an External Advisory Board were formed to guide its development. During the following six months, the Planning Committee explored in depth the issues around behavior and health in a series of six symposia, Behavior at the Crossroads of Public Health. In May 2005, the School announced that David Holtgrave, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in HIV prevention and social science, would chair the new department. With the establishment of the Department of Health, Behavior and Society, we have an historic opportunity to generate scientific findings and train future public health leaders with the real potential to change behavioral and social aspects of public health for decades to come. - David Holtgrave, PhD | 
