Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
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April 22, 2025
News from SPH
Student Spotlight: Garrett Stang
For sexual and gender minorities, stress and stigma can undermine conventional tobacco cessation efforts. Brown SPH doctoral student Garrett Stang is examining smoking behaviors within these communities to inform more effective, evidence-based strategies for quitting.
January 23, 2025
News from Carney
A Case for Addiction Science Advocacy
Karla Kaun argues that addiction researchers should talk about their work in their everyday lives. Those conversations can shape how drug, tobacco and alcohol use is studied in labs, taught in schools, treated in clinics and shaped by policy. Brown addiction researchers have a track record of success in exerting the influence of evidence.
January 14, 2025
News from Brown
What the surgeon general’s warnings about alcohol mean for individual drinkers and public health
In a Q&A, Peter Monti, a professor of alcohol and addiction studies at Brown University and a leading researcher of alcohol and disease exacerbation, shared his perspective on alcohol and cancer.
January 8, 2025
News from SPH
Brown researchers awarded $3.8 million grant to study links between alcohol, gut health and HIV
The research, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, aims to uncover how alcohol and HIV disrupt gut bacteria and contribute to chronic health issues like heart disease.
October 23, 2024
News from Brown
Finding calm amid chaos: Brown mindfulness expert offers advice for election-related stress
Dr. Judson Brewer, director of research and innovation at the Mindfulness Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, shares strategies for staying calm during contentious times.
October 22, 2024
News from SPH
A high-tech approach to curb heavy drinking
Brown researchers are developing a mobile app aimed at reducing high-risk alcohol use among young adults.
September 30, 2024
News from SPH
Unlocking the Potential of MDMA
A team of Brown faculty members is conducting the first study of its kind to investigate whether MDMA-assisted therapy can relieve the suffering of Veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
August 2, 2024
News from SPH
Testing at Home for HIV
Taking an HIV test in the privacy of your own home is as simple as swabbing your cheek. A new study from Tyler Wray finds compelling evidence that mailed tests could be a game changer.
July 11, 2024
News from SPH
Humans in Public Health: A psychedelic pathway toward PTSD recovery
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the most common conditions facing U.S. Veterans, with no effective cure. Additionally, many Veterans use alcohol to alleviate their trauma, making medical treatment even more complex. For these high risk patients, Professors Christy Capone and Carolina Haass-Koffler are thinking outside the box: Could a treatment involving psychedelic drugs potentially save Veteran lives?
June 28, 2024
News from SPH
Why should insurers cover Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction?
Brown University researchers take a deep dive into the barriers that are disincentivizing health insurers from covering the mindfulness–based health program.
April 16, 2024
News from SPH
Outside the Mainstream: Applying rigor to complementary & integrative approaches to health care
NCCIH funding will allow Brown researchers to evaluate complementary and integrative health interventions and produce a public-facing database to support rigorous systematic reviews.
April 1, 2024
News from SPH
Behind the Lectern: Malabika Sarker
An internationally-known public health expert, Professor Malabika Sarker advocates for vulnerable populations around the world. We talked to her about implementation science, the importance of community and advocacy, and why she thinks the School of Public Health is ready to tackle the public health problems of the 21st century.