diverse group of students walking
Keck School of Medicine of USC

Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

Explore Our Programs

Igniting Discovery in Population and Public Health

The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences ranks #1 in NIH funding in its field (2025 Blue Ridge) and is the leading force of the Keck School’s standing as #1 in NIH funding per investigator.

Our research operates in more than a dozen countries, with partners including the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention.

Founded in 1977, the department is home to more than 125 faculty. We offer 12 degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels, including the Master of Public Health.

Latest News

    Press Releases

    Photo shows an African-American woman getting a mammogram

    Keck School of Medicine of USC launches pioneering collaboration to improve breast cancer screening, access, and outcomes in Los Angeles County

    Several multi-colored electronic cigarettes lie on a light table.

    E-cigarette flavor and device type play a key role in vaping-related molecular changes, study finds

    Image shows water droplets labeled PFAS and the words Forever. Chemicals circled in red

    $10 million grant funds research and solutions on ‘forever chemicals’

    View All News

    Campus News

    Cover of the AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2026

    Keck School of Medicine of USC faculty help lead national cancer disparities report

    Image of Earth (Image by Pablo Carlos Budassi/Creative Commons)

    Meet the 2026–2027 Dhablania and Kim Family Global Medicine and Health Fellows

    PPHS Annual Report

    Department of Population and Public Health Sciences 2025–2026 Annual Report highlights innovation, discovery and community impact

    View All News

    Media Mentions

    CAPITAL AND MAIN ◆ As cold storage company became global titan, fire risks piled up

    CAPITAL AND MAIN ◆ As cold storage company became global titan, fire risks piled up

    FREE PRESS ◆ Clouds of concern

    FREE PRESS ◆ Clouds of concern

    NBC NEWS ◆ As cancer death rates plunge, clear disparities remain, new report says

    NBC NEWS ◆ As cancer death rates plunge, clear disparities remain, new report says

    View All News

    Message from the Chair

    Our faculty, staff and students do incredible research, and are leaders throughout the University. We’re part of making USC – and our communities – a better place.

    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD
    Department Chair
    Distinguished Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences
    view profile
    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD

    Join a new generation of trailblazers

    Learn real-world skills and make connections needed to stand out and improve population and public health. The Department offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral education and training programs that nurture students to become innovators and leaders – in their communities and around the world. Employers tell us that the practical skills our graduates possess make them some of the most prepared job candidates they encounter.

    Explore our education programs
    students study together

    By the Numbers

    5

    Divisions

    #1

    Funding from the National Institutes of Health

    12

    Degree Programs

    Our Values and Culture

    We aim to improve population and public health locally and globally through the pursuit of high-impact, transdisciplinary research; the translation and communication of knowledge; and the training of outstanding students, professionals and future researchers, educators and leaders.

    clinic worker takes a patient's blood pressure
    Precision Public Health

    Meeting needs specifically

    Our experts know a one-size-fits-all approach to health simply does not work. Whether via policy, access to care, community programs or other resources, healthy populations can only truly be achieved when all people are having their specific needs met.

    college professors talking as they walk down a hallway
    Continuous Improvement and Growth

    Rising to health challenges

    Highly active, the Department is recognized as one of the top research units of its kind in the country. The Department of Population and Public Health Sciences is poised to meet new challenges by growing its faculty, research and education programs in the name of health for all.

    diverse hands in center
    Reflection and Belonging

    Inclusive excellence

    The Department is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive work and learning environment. We actively recruit and retain students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds, ensuring a team that brings varied perspectives and experiences to our field.

    125+ Faculty

    Our faculty work across a broad research portfolio while fostering partnerships across the University, local and global organizations, and communities for a truly transdisciplinary and collaborative approach. They pursue evidence-based solutions that utilize ‘big data’ and state-of-the-art analysis methods to identify risk factors and policy approaches to improve human health.

    View faculty
    Join our Faculty
    small group of college students in class with professor

    Research Across Disciplines

    Home to highly active centers and institutes and a wide variety of research studies, work in the department serves to advocate for and inform community and organizational action. In addition to significant work in USC’s surrounding communities in Los Angeles and the United States, the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences conducts research and provides educational opportunities in more than a dozen countries.

    The department is ranked #1 nationally in NIH funding in its field according to the 2025 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings, and is part of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, which ranks #1 in NIH funding per investigator.

    Explore Research
    Research News
    PPHS #1 in NIH Rankings graphic
    smiling student

    Community Engagement and Outreach

    Our community of scholars are brilliant, uncommonly collaborative, and deeply engaged in our surrounding communities.

    Community Engagement and Outreach

    Help Support Our Work

    Your generosity supports the trailblazing efforts of students in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, who are on a mission to impact public health for good.

    Support our mission