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Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

Division of Health Behavior Research

Overview

The Division of Health Behavior Research is focused on evaluating, preventing, and promoting a range of health behaviors (e.g., tobacco/substance use, nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness) that are associated with chronic and infectious diseases, with special emphasis on youth/young adults and health disparities populations.

Division Chief

In the Division of Health Behavior Research, our research has real-world impact on changing policies, programs, and behaviors that prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, addiction, and mental health challenges in our communities. By understanding what influences our health behaviors, we can design better interventions to change them.

Genevieve Dunton, PhD, MPH
Division Chief
Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences & Psychology
Email: dunton@usc.edu
Phone: (323)422-8224
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Genevieve Dunton, PhD, MPH

Research Goals and Specialization

Research in the division spans several cross-cutting areas of focus. Our work seeks to understand the epidemiology, determinants, and consequences of health risk behaviors; develop and test health behavior intervention; and disseminate programs and influence policies related to health behavior change and prevention.

Health Behaviors and Risk Factors

Methodology and Measurement

Determinants

Populations

Division Labs and Research Groups

Research typically occurs both through individuals – or, in some cases, individual “labs” – and through the inter-disciplinary units represented by the Institutes and Centers based in our Department.

Drug Use and Behavior Lab

pills and needle

Epidemiology of Substance Use (EOS) Research Group

vape devices

Global Research, Implementation, and Training Lab (GRIT LAB)

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Initiative for California American Indian Health Research and Evaluation (I-CAIHRE) 

family smiling

Maternal Cannabis Lab

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Psychosocialbiology of Women’s Health and Emotional Research (POWER) Lab

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Real-Time Eating Activity and Children’s Health (REACH) Lab

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AFFILIATED CENTERS AND INSTITUTES

Center for Health Equity in the Americas (CenHealth)

Center for Population Health

COVID-19 Pandemic Research Center (CPRC)

Institute for Addiction Science

Institute for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research

Southern California Center for Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Education Programs

News

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Campus News

Claradina Soto, PhD, testifies on growing fentanyl crisis in Native American communities

March 15, 2024
pregnant person in kitchen
Campus News

“They might take my baby away”: experiences of using cannabis during pregnancy in California while engaged in perinatal care

Campus News

Department of Population and Public Health Sciences Launches Global Health Research Interactive Map Tool

Campus News

Keeping it in the Family: Addressing Sedentary and Physical Activity Levels in Young Children

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Divisions
Research in our Department