Why Investment in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Is So Important

Faculty in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discuss their core values and what they mean for scientists right now during this pivotal time for public health. 

Their reflections follow a recent editorial published in the American Journal of Public Health, where 16 chairs of departments of social and behavioral sciences in schools of public health called for a recommitment to core values, highlighting health equity as central to the field. 

The social and behavioral sciences in public health focus on how society and human behavior shape health at the individual, community, and population levels. In the editorial, department chairs called for a commitment to health equity as the highest goal, which requires rigorously examining the factors at the root of health injustices and taking evidence-based action to correct those injustices. They also called for a commitment to community engagement and authentic partnerships, to knowledge translation and communication, to the use of diverse critical theories and research methods, to the ability to train a diverse workforce, and to academic freedom. 

Joanna Cohen, PhD, chair of the Department of Health, Behavior and Society and one of the co-authors of the editorial, talks about advancing core principles in the social and behavioral sciences during these times:

Why do the social and behavioral sciences face a unique threat right now?

Joanna Cohen: Because we study the influences of social context, structures, systems and behaviors on health outcomes and work toward all people attaining their maximum health potential, we inherently interrogate power structures and work toward transforming unjust systems. We are especially focused on improving health among those who have been most negatively affected by historical and current structures and systems. This work is challenging in any environment.

What are some real-life consequences if we don’t continue to invest in this field?

JC: The spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis B, combined with the growing burden of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer, takes a toll on individuals and their loved ones and puts strain on our health care and public health systems, which results in fewer resources to address other priorities.

Without continuing to invest in the social and behavioral sciences, we won’t have an accurate understanding of how best to reach populations affected by substance use and chronic conditions and develop appropriate and effective interventions. Progress on other issues, such as reducing deaths from opioid use and reducing gender-based violence, will be lost.

What does it mean to you to stand up for the core principles in the social and behavioral sciences in public health?

JC: Rigorous scientific inquiry is the foundation for our work. Without an accurate understanding of the true influences on health, we cannot effectively achieve health for all. As Chair of a department of social and behavioral sciences, I believe it is my role and responsibility to stand up for our core principles, including assuring structures and processes are in place to support our faculty, staff and students. It is also critical to act collectively with chairs in similar departments across the country—we can accomplish more when we work together!
 

Heath, Behavior and Society faculty share what it means to them to be a social and behavioral scientist in public health:

“Social and behavioral scientists get to think deeply in collaboration with communities to try to make the world better in spite of or actively against oppressive and constraining forces. We build on a vast body of interdisciplinary theory to understand the complexity of people's realities and help to identify opportunities to make an impact that actually make sense within the contexts of people’s lives.”
—Danielle German, PhD ’09, MPH, Associate professor and Vice Chair of IDARE

“What it means for me to be a social behavioral scientist in public health is to address the fundamental issue that health happens in a context. I see from my research that individuals, families, and communities can improve their health conditions when their histories and perspectives are acknowledged and included in changes. While at the same time, their physical environments are supported through resources, services, and established relationships.”
—Vanya Jones, PhD ’06, MPH, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for community-engaged research

“In my area of work, being a social and behavioral scientist in public health means bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives, in deep partnership with community members, to create multi-level interventions that blend evidence, practice, and lived experience insights. It means holding health equity as a core principle because we want to ensure that the public health impact of our work reaches all communities, including creating opportunities for young people to thrive.”
—Kiara Álvarez, PhD, EdM, Associate professor and Bloomberg Associate Professor of American Health

“I believe the best way to solve any public health problem is when strong communities ask the right questions and have the resources to seek out answers. As a social and behavioral scientist, I’m committed to using my teaching and research expertise with communities, so that together we can address our most pressing social health inequities.”
—Tyler Derreth, PhD, Associate teaching professor and director of the MHS in Health, Behavior and Society program