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Department of Health Studies

Offering programs in health promotion, nutrition education, and public health.

Department of Health Studies

The mission of the Department of Health Studies (DHS) is to educate and empower future leaders in the field to improve the health status and wellbeing of individuals, communities, organizations, and societies. This mission is achieved through innovative education, creative partnerships, policy-change advocacy, and transformational research. Health issues are of universal interest and relevance, transcending the boundaries of race, religion, culture and national origin.

Degree Programs

Graduate

Undergraduate


Our graduates put their expertise to work promoting health outcomes, policy, and research locally, nationally, and globally. Here are just a few recent examples of alum career paths:

Health Promotion students in front of the Capitol building

  • Research Associate at National Institute of Health
  • Nutrition Educator at Maryland Snap-Ed
  • Program Associate at Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
  • Wellness Coordinator at NFL Players Association
  • Assistant Fitness Director at Sport & Health
  • Health Communications Specialist at USAID
  • Senior Director, Customer Engagement at Cigna
  • Research Associate at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
  • Lifestyle Educator at Kaiser Permanente
  • Education Specialist at the Capitol Area Food Bank
Dara Ford running across bridge in Marine Corps Marathon 2024

In the Community ·

Training for the Marine Corps Ultramarathon: A CAS Conversation with Dara Ford

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Bulletins

Evan Reister spoke with WebMD about research showing connections between a healthy diet and the size of a snack consumed.

The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities lab's $2.8 million grant from Novo Nordisk to address food insecurity in DC and support local Black farmers was featured in a story by The Eagle.

Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health award public health students Tejasvi Hariharan, Shelton Fantroy, and Naila-Mareen Morris the innovation award.

Anastasia Snelling (Health Studies) received a $40,000 grant from DC Central Kitchen for the project "Healthy Corners Program Evaluation."

Health faculty discuss the US Farm Bill and national food and nutrition programs:

See more Health Studies News.

News

Food Matters team, front to back:  Jessica Yamamoto, Caroline Krekorian, Brooke Wayne, Matthew Bond

Student Life ·

Food Matters: DC Ward 7 Shoppers Spin-to-Win for Better Health

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Various fruits and vegetables.
Credit: Getty Images

Announcement ·

Transforming the Food System to Serve All

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To the Point. Woman pushing cart through grocery store aisle.

Social Sciences ·

To the Point: How Are Soaring Food Prices Affecting the Health of American Families?

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27

Number of grants awarded to our department to promote health in Washington, DC

126

Students, faculty, staff, and volunteers working with us

69

Number of publications, reports, and presentations to disseminate this work