Health, Behavior and Society
We discover and apply ways to change human behavior to improve public health.
Health, Behavior and Society Headlines
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.
Black Public Health Heroes Who Made—And Are Making—History
Researchers, physicians, and activists who have inspired Bloomberg School faculty and shaped the field of public health
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Wins 8 Anthem Awards
Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, the Institute for Global Tobacco Control, and the Office of External affairs were recognized in the 2024 Anthem Awards.
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.
Sara Benjamin-Neelon, PhD, JD, MPH, is an attorney and child nutritionist who examines early life predictors of obesity and other chronic diseases with a health equity lens.
Lee Bone, MPH '77, RN, is a community-driven trailblazer and a fearless silo-buster for sustainable change in the context of urban health and chronic disease.
Jennifer Brown, PhD '20, MPH, researches tobacco marketing and compliance with advertisement restrictions globally.
Rajeev Cherukupalli, PhD, MA, works in public finance, health, development, labor markets and policy evaluation, to harness better tax and policy design to improve health.
Support Our Department
A gift to our department can help to provide student scholarships and internships, attract and retain faculty, and support innovation.