Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Our mission is to understand and intervene on the social determinants of health and health equity across the life-course.
677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge Building
Boston, MA 02115
News
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How muscle-building imagery, supplement use can harm teen boys
A new documentary shines a spotlight on how body image pressures that boys experience from social media can damage their mental health and push them into disordered behaviors. The documentary—Generation Flex, produced by Men’s Health—features Harvard Chan School’s S. Bryn Austin.
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Opinion: LGBTQ+ families are worried about losing rights
In the wake of Donald Trump’s election, LGBTQ+ families in the U.S. fear that they will lose fundamental legal protections, according to Harvard Chan School’s Sabra Katz-Wise.
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Ways to live a longer, healthier life
Social connection, prosociality, spirituality, optimism, and work—growing evidence suggests these five factors can play an important role in improving the well-being of people and communities.
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Fostering resilience in the face of adversity
The Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness’s inaugural Chester Pierce Symposium explored social factors that influence resilience and well-being.
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Conservative policies could harm Americans’ health
The conservative policy agenda of the second Trump administration could lead to worse health outcomes in the U.S., according to population health experts.
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Opinion: Rules on supplements likely to loosen under Trump
Federal oversight of dangerous dietary supplements will likely be eroded under a new Trump administration, according to experts affiliated with Harvard Chan School.
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New podcast explores research on loneliness and well-being
The podcast Frontiers in Health & Happiness is devoting its first six episodes to loneliness and well-being.
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Opinion: Child welfare reform bill is essential; more is needed for incarcerated mothers
A new federal bill to improve the child welfare system in the U.S. is a step in the right direction, but doesn’t go far enough to protect families impacted by incarceration, according to Harvard Chan School’s Bethany Kotlar.
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Refugee women resettled in disadvantaged neighborhoods may face worse birth outcomes
Among refugee women, resettling in a disadvantaged neighborhood was associated with a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes, according to a new study co-authored by Harvard Chan School’s Rita Hamad.
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DEI backlash affecting research focused on racism and health
Academic institutions and researchers studying the connection between racism and health are under attack during a backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, according to those affected.
