Health Behavior Change is about understanding why people make the health decisions they do, and how to design interventions that actually help people live healthier lives. At Brown, students are trained to apply behavioral and social science theories to real public health challenges, from chronic disease prevention and mental health to substance use and health equity. Students will also learn not just what influences behavior, but how to use that knowledge to create meaningful, evidence-based change.

You will develop practical skills for building and testing health interventions in various community settings. Our graduates are prepared to lead with equity and trust, ensuring that public health programs truly meet the needs of the populations they support.

Student Profile

You are interested in what drives people’s everyday health decisions, and why good information alone is often not enough to change behavior. You care about meeting people where they are, and you want to understand how social, cultural and environmental factors shape health. You are drawn to work that combines evidence with empathy, and analysis with action.

As a student in Health Behavior Change, you will learn how to apply behavioral and social science theories to design, implement and evaluate interventions that work in real-world settings. 

As a public health professional, you envision yourself designing programs, shaping campaigns or evaluating interventions that improve health and reduce disparities. Whether you work in community organizations, public health agencies, health care systems or nonprofit and policy settings, you want to create change that is evidence-based, culturally responsive and sustainable.