Areas of Research

From substance use disorders to water quality testing; from pandemic preparedness to data science; our researchers improve population health through rigorous study.

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Research Announcements

Brown researchers: Please submit research funding and other related announcements by completing this form.

Areas of Research

From substance use disorders to water quality testing; from pandemic preparedness to data science; our researchers improve population health through rigorous study.

The School of Public Health is focused on addressing the most pressing challenges in public health today. Our goal is to generate evidence-based research that informs policy and ensures the well-being of our communities.

Our areas of research touch upon a wide range of demographics and behaviors. Our researchers study alcohol and drug use, addiction and harm reduction, as well as the social determinants of health and systemic health inequities impacting our most vulnerable populations. They work in the fields of mental health, child and reproductive health, infectious disease and vaccines, environmental health, and more.

Faculty and students at Brown also actively contribute to expanding knowledge across various subjects, such as long-term care, chronic conditions, prevention and management of chronic diseases, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS research, misinformation, mindfulness, nutrition, nicotine and tobacco use, health care systems analysis, pharmaceutical health services, and medication effectiveness.

Our Areas of Research Include:

  • Smoking & Tobacco Use
  • Addiction and Overdose
  • Harm Reduction
  • Aging and Long Term Care
  • Chronic Disease Prevention & Management
  • Global Health
  • Infectious Disease
  • Health Disparities and Health Equity
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Medication Effectiveness
  • LGBTQ+ Health
  • Pandemic Preparedness and Biosecurity
  • Information Disorders
  • Nutrition and Physical Activity
  • Mindfulness
  • Data Science
  • Statistics
  • Children & Adolescent Health
  • Air Quality
  • Noise Pollution
  • PFAS and Environmental Health
  • Climate Change & Health
  • Health Care Payment Policies 
  • Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
  • Health Policy
  • Veterans' Health

Research News

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News from SPH

How does parental health impact a child's ability to flourish?

81% of children in the United States are categorized as "flourishing": indicating the presence of physical, mental and developmental well-being. A new Brown research study looks closer at these numbers, and how parental health has an impact on a child's flourishing.
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News from SPH

Heavy Metal

Firearms are dangerous, but their ammunition holds a silent threat: dangerously high levels of lead. Brown doctoral student Christian Hoover teams up with Professor Joseph Braun to examine the connection between guns and elevated lead levels in America’s children and adults.
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Explore by Department

Behavioral & Social Sciences Research

Conducting qualitative research, sophisticated quantitative modeling, laboratory-based experiments, and formative research with community partners to develop and test behavior change theories and to implement, evaluate and disseminate interventions that promote healthier behaviors.
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Biostatistics Research

The Center for Statistical Sciences, the research Center for the Biostatistics department, explores the creation of new statistical methods, and the development of significant interdisciplinary research projects in collaboration with local, national, and international investigators.
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Epidemiology Research

Epidemiology research spans a wide range of topics, from substance use and harm reduction to pandemic preparedness and environmental hazards.
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Health Services, Policy & Practice Research

Health services research is a multidisciplinary field that examines the intersection of social, economic, and organizational factors on health care access, quality, cost, and outcomes. Our work touches populations at all ages and stages of life, impacting individuals, families, communities, organizations and institutions.
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Research Announcements

Brown researchers: Please submit research funding and other related announcements by completing this form.