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Keck School of Medicine of USC

Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

Explore Our Programs

Igniting Discovery in Population and Public Health

Since its founding in 1977, the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at Keck School of Medicine of USC has consistently ranked among the top Schools of Public Health in terms of competitively awarded funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Latest News

    Press Releases

    Photo shows prescription bottle of COVID-19 antiviral pills.

    Most COVID-19 treatments found to be free of serious side effects in analysis of U.S. studies

    Photo shows pregnant woman having her blood pressure checked by a clinician.

    Blood pressure patterns during pregnancy predict later hypertension risk, study finds

    Photo shows young person having his blood pressure checked

    USC study shows persistent organic pollutants are associated with higher blood pressure in teenagers after weight loss surgery 

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    Campus News

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    USC researchers present their findings at Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting

    USC Young Adult Workforce Development Program Fellows

    Keck School of Medicine of USC Young Adult Workforce Academy prepares high school graduates for vocational pathways

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    USC Students organize LA wildfire relief efforts distributing medical supplies to local organizations

    Media Mentions

    NBC NEWS ◆ CDC site scrubs HIV content following Trump DEI policies

    NBC NEWS ◆ CDC site scrubs HIV content following Trump DEI policies

    MEDPAGE TODAY ◆ The ‘Silent STI’ Need Not Leave Infertility in its Wake

    MEDPAGE TODAY ◆ The ‘Silent STI’ Need Not Leave Infertility in its Wake

    LAIST ◆ Diesel truck traffic map

    LAIST ◆ Diesel truck traffic map

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    Interim Chair
    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD

    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
    Interim Department Chair
    Distinguished Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences
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    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.

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    By the Numbers

    6

    Divisions

    #2

    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Research News
    Listen on Preventive Pros: the Podcast
    PPHS NIH infographic on funding
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    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.

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