Division of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Health is inseparable from behavior. It is difficult to change people’s behavior even though it contributes to health. Why does this happen? Students will become familiar with a wide range of Theory, Research, and Practice that can help them understand the determinants of and mechanisms underlying health behavior. A primary focus of our activities will be on giving students the skills in real-world design and implementation of healthcare interventions which can be applied within everyday contexts.
Courses Offered by Division Faculty
Health and Behavioral Science
This course will familiarize students with the social determinants of health including social and political structures, cultural background and environment, socioeconomic status, and community and organizational climate. At the end of this course, students should feel comfortable building research questions that explore the above topics in the context of healthcare and disease outcomes.
Medical Anthropology
This course will introduce students to the intersection between Socio-cultural Anthropology and Bioscience focusing on the cultural aspects of health and illness. Students taking this course will be able to assess and evaluate a variety of health behaviors, both within and outside of Japan, from an anthropological perspective that frames health, disease, and the provision of healthcare within the context of culture and beliefs. An understanding of this perspective will allow healthcare providers and researcher to better tailor healthcare interventions and infrastructure to optimize human health in a patient-centered way.
Medical Ethics
This course will cover basics in ethical knowledge, concepts, and judgement needed for medical practice, including aspects addressing human rights of patients and their family, right to know, and issues related to quality of life.