A Sociomedical Sciences Approach to Public Health…

The Department of Sociomedical Sciences is distinguished by its focus on the social determinants of disease and health. This is accomplished by examining the correlation between epidemiological trends and structural inequities in order to expose the fundamental social causes of public events, including discrimination, stigma, and poverty. From this perspective health behavior is conceptualized, as an interactive product of the social environment and developing effective public health strategies requires interventions that extend beyond the level of the individual to target interpersonal, organizational, community, economic, political, and cultural factors. Consequently, individually-based prevention theories and practices are moderated by social, cultural, and environmental interpretations that attend to the situational and historical factors that construct health crises and public health interventions. The multidisciplinary resources of the Department of Sociomedical Sciences allows researchers and practitioners to apply social science approaches, that range from the history and ethics of public health to the study of health in the era of globalization, to the analysis of public health problems and the development of effective public health strategies.

Diversity: A Core Value in Sociomedical Sciences…

The Department of Sociomedical Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health considers a diverse learning atmosphere to be an essential educational component in the preparation of the next generation of leaders in public health, as well as an enrichment to the academic experience of all its students. To that end, the Department is committed to maintaining a student body and faculty that reflect the diversity of the vibrant city it calls home. While the department's immediate focus is increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of its students and faculty, we recognize that a truly diverse learning and research environment encompasses individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and identities, including people of diverse nationalities, religious and social class backgrounds, physical abilities, age, sexual orientation and gender identities. I welcome you to our website and we invite you to find out more about what the Department has to offer.

– Richard Parker, PhD
Professor and Chair

– For more information on the SMS Diversity Committee –