Department of Social and Behavioral Health News
Housed in the 51ԹϺ School of Public Health, the Department of Social and Behavioral Health consists of faculty who engage in research and develop and evaluate community-based programs that promote health and disease prevention. Our students learn to identify high-risk behaviors or trends in specific populations, as well as propose solutions that aim to improve overall public health in communities.
Current Social and Behavioral Health News
After an unexpected start in public health, this professor of social and behavioral health is uncovering the complexities of substance misuse and childhood trauma.
Headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of 51ԹϺ.
A monthly roundup of the top news stories at 51ԹϺ, featuring the presidential election, gaming partnerships, and much more.
News highlights featuring 51ԹϺ students and staff who made (refreshing) waves in the headlines.
A collection of news stories highlighting 51ԹϺ’s dedication to community and research.
The Outstanding Faculty Award winner has spent over 40 years helping us understand health behavior.
Social and Behavioral Health In The News
Late last month, Brooke L. Rollins, the Trump administration’s incoming secretary of agriculture, unveiled her plan to combat the growing threat of avian flu to animal and human populations. In a commentary published Feb. 27 in the Wall Street Journal, Rollins laid out a five-step strategy to fight the virus. But the title of the piece was not “How we will prevent a new pandemic” or “Five steps to prevent the avian flu virus from infecting millions of Americans.”
The world celebrated World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, 2025, with the theme of “Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, approximately 10.8 million people were affected by TB globally, including 6.0 million males, 3.6 million women, and 1.3 million children. No country or age group has been spared by TB. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, 9,633 cases of TB were reported which was an increase of 15.6% over the previous year. It needs to be noted that TB is preventable and curable. Can we eradicate TB like we did smallpox?
Dr. Manoj Sharma, Professor of Social and Behavioral Health and Internal Medicine, answers queries on the ‘empty nest syndrome’.
One of the twentieth-century public health achievements that was touted was the prevention of dental caries through fluoridation of water. But the recent political climate has challenged this, and the debate is on. What are the pros and cons of fluoridation of public water?
The National Institutes of Health will cancel or cut back dozens of grants for research on why some people are reluctant to be vaccinated and how to increase acceptance of vaccines, according to an internal email obtained by The Washington Post on Monday.
The National Institutes of Health will cancel or cut back dozens of grants for research on why some people are reluctant to be vaccinated and how to increase acceptance of vaccines, according to an internal email obtained by The Washington Post on Monday.
