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Department of

Health, Behavior and Society

We discover and apply ways to change human behavior to improve public health.

Health, Behavior and Society Headlines

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 Science (ScM) in Genetic Counseling

Onsite | Full-Time | 2.5 years

The ScM in Genetic Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to provide genetic counseling with an emphasis on clients’ psychological and educational needs.

Health, Behavior and Society Faculty

Get to know our HBS faculty members.

Lauren Dayton
Associate Research Professor
Health, Behavior and Society

Lauren Dayton, PhD, MSPH, is a behavioral scientist who works to promote the well-being of youth and families through the development, implementation, and evaluation of trauma and harm prevention interventions.

Tyler Derreth
Assistant Teaching Professor
Health, Behavior and Society

Tyler Derreth, PhD, researches critical pedagogy, equitable teaching and learning practices, and university-community partnerships to advance justice in education and communities.

Maria-Elena Figueroa
Associate Scientist
Health, Behavior and Society

Maria-Elena Figueroa, PhD '96, researches health behavior and applied communication worldwide, and directs CCP’s Global Program on Water and Hygiene.

Danielle German
Associate Professor
Health, Behavior and Society

Danielle German, PhD '09, MPH, conducts research to understand and address the social context of health behavior and well-being among marginalized populations.

Support Our Department

A gift to our department can help to provide student scholarships and internships, attract and retain faculty, and support innovation.