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Sociomedical Sciences (SMS)

The Department of Sociomedical Sciences sets public health challenges in broad social, historical, and political contexts. We emphasize social structure in relation to culture and history, with a focus on research that empowers communities and informs public policy. 

Degree Programs
Our degree programs combine interdisciplinary social sciences and research methods within historical, political, and cultural contexts to better inform public health.
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Research
Our research spans a broad variety of topics from puberty and adolescence to the intersections of health, housing, and equity in hopes of addressing public health knowledge gaps and informing new policy.
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Our Students
Our students bring their diverse and rich backgrounds to build upon and strengthen their public health toolkits.
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Student Volunteers Take Lead on COVID-19 Response
2020 MPH candidates, Chevara Joseph, Olivia Balderes, Alexis Smith and George Timmins play leading roles in supporting the COVID-19 Student Service Corps response to the pandemic.
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Message from the Chair

Sociomedical Sciences Chair Kathleen Sikkema, PhD"The social sciences are essential to develop strategies and identify research and educational priorities to address health inequities and assess impact in the field of public health," says Kathleen Sikkema, PhD. Read the full message here. 

Why SMS?

Learn how the past informs the department's current and future impactful research as we reflect on 50 years of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia.

Centers & Programs

Brownstones in HarlemOur research is expansive on both the local and global scale, spanning initiatives from community health promotion to public health ethics. 

Students

SMS students share their practicum experiences at a student informational panel session.

Our talented students draw on their diverse backgrounds when developing the expertise needed to excel in the rapidly evolving social health field.

 

Faculty

Meet our esteemed faculty, who represent a wide range of expertise throughout the public health field.

Spotlight

The Citizens' Public Health Literacy project and qualitative MENTOR study work together to strengthen community ties in order to combat disparate COVID-19 impact. Read the full article here.