Park rangers participating in naloxone training.

welcome to the Department of : Social & Behavioral Sciences

Our faculty are dedicated to creating broad, systematic health changes across entire communities. The faculty is committed to providing competency-based education coupled with hands-on experience and the development of critical thinking skills.

Improving the health and well being of communities

Health disparities are shaped by behavioral and sociocultural factors. The study of Social and Behavioral Sciences in public health focuses on psychosocial, behavioral, community and societal influences on health and the development of interventions that eliminate barriers to health and healthcare access.

Recent News

WVU in the News: Could a model from Iceland curb teen substance use?

Southwestern Public Health is drawing inspiration from Iceland in its efforts to prevent youth substance use. Álfgeir Kristjánsson is an Associate Professor at West Virginia University School of Public Health who has experience with the Icelandic Prevention Model, and he told London Morning it's a good start.