Research Themes


Biosocial Contexts of Population Health

How and why does the social become biological? This was recently posed as one of the top ten social science priority questions highlighted in Nature (3 Feb 2011, Vol. 470:18-19) that emerged from a Harvard symposium on the social sciences in April 2010. Also asked: How can we influence people to take better care of their health? These questions point to the critical role of behavior and social systems in individual and population health. There is a growing understanding that most of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, both chronic and acute, in both developed and (very rapidly) developing countries, are a significant function of individual behavior, social dynamics and social structures. One of CSDE’s key strengths is the large number of faculty we have working at the leading edge of the biosocial determinants of population morbidity, mortality and fertility. We are known for our expertise in social network analysis methods, sexual behavior and HIV, biodemography, health disparities, and innovative modeling and measurement methods. Emerging strengths include translational research and spatial dimensions of health. CSDE research is conducted in the US and in over 15 additional nations, including Native American Nations. Many of our affiliates work closely with local, national and international institutions to elucidate implement and evaluate health-related policy and programs. CSDE affiliates have strong ties to the UW’s internationally recognized Schools of Medicine and Public Health, and in particular the Department of Global Health, the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Our affiliates interrogate how and why social dynamics influence population biology and health in the four sub-themes listed below.