Health Behavior Research
Overview
The Division of Health Behavior Research is focused on evaluating, preventing, and promoting a range of health behaviors (e.g., tobacco/substance use, nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness) that are associated with chronic and infectious diseases, with special emphasis on youth/young adults and health disparities populations.
Division Chief
Research Goals and Specialization
Research in the division spans several cross-cutting areas of focus. Our work seeks to understand the epidemiology, determinants, and consequences of health risk behaviors; develop and test health behavior intervention; and disseminate programs and influence policies related to health behavior change and prevention.
Division Labs and Research Groups
Research typically occurs both through individuals – or, in some cases, individual “labs” – and through the inter-disciplinary units represented by the Institutes and Centers based in our Department.
Drug Use and Behavior Lab
Global Research, Implementation, and Training Lab (GRIT LAB)
Health, Emotion and Addiction Laboratory (HEAL)
Maternal Cannabis Lab
Psychosocialbiology of Women’s Health and Emotional Research (POWER) Lab
Real-Time Eating Activity and Children’s Health (REACH) Lab
Social Media Analytics (SOMA) Lab
Faculty Members of the Division of Health Behavior Research
Education Programs
Bachelor of Science programs
The Department offers 2 undergraduate majors: Global Health and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. These are ideal majors for students interested in medicine, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, international relations, epidemiology, health psychology and health behavior research.
Master of Public Health
The USC Master of Public Health program is a product of the University of Southern California’s commitment to the health and well-being of its surrounding communities, as well as nationally and internationally.
Graduate Certificate in Global Medicine
The Graduate Certificate in Global Medicine program is for anyone interested in augmenting their understanding of global health instead of pursuing a full Master of Science degree in Global Medicine.
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Behavior Research
The Doctor of Philosophy in Health Behavior Research program provides academic and research training for students interested in pursuing career opportunities in the field of health promotion and disease prevention research.
Master of Public Health (online)
The Master of Public Health (MPH) Online program at USC offers a rigorous curriculum that attracts dedicated and ambitious professionals with a passion to serve in the public health arena. The program’s core coursework aims to develop your key public health competencies and skills through the use of cases and examples from industry — ranging from local to global.
Master of Science in Global Medicine
The Master of Science in Global Medicine degree answers the urgent need for professional training in concepts of global health. Combining a strong medical science foundation with interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare, the program equips future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve worldwide health issues.
It takes two: Using dance to augment STEM course content
Most undergraduate students in the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (HP 300) section are on the pre-med track. Their schedules are mainly comprised of science courses as they pursue careers in the healthcare industry. Yet, David Black, PhD, Associate...
New Master of Addiction Science seeks to revolutionize addiction treatment
USC faculty member wins Award of Excellence for emergency preparedness
Associate Professor Rita Burke, PhD, MPH, has been selected as a 2022 recipient of the Award of Excellence from the Business and Industry Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP). The organization is a non-profit association in emergency management...