About our Department
The Gillings School's Department of Health Behavior is the home for Master of Public Health concentrations in global health and health behavior, as well as a dual master's degree and a doctoral degree. Our students develop the skills they need to be community change agents for issues that undermine public health both locally and globally, including: violence, obesity, cancer, HIV, health policy and health disparities.

Our Mission The Department of Health Behavior’s mission is to provide leadership in research, teaching and practice to understand the social and behavioral determinants of health problems and develop effective interventions that are built on theory, scientific evidence, and respect for basic values of justice and human dignity in North Carolina, nationally, and internationally. Inclusive Excellence At the Gillings School, diversity and inclusion mean we welcome, value and learn from individual differences and perspectives. By cultivating inclusion within the School, we better prepare our students, faculty and staff for the diverse world that awaits them. A globally-interconnected world needs culturally competent people to serve as its leaders. Diversity and inclusion are assets that contribute to our excellence.

Health Behavior Leadership Team

Kurt M. Ribisl, PhD, Jo Anne Earp Distinguished Professor and Chair
Shelley Golden, PhD, Vice Chair for Academic Affairs
Patsy Polston, PhD, BSPH Program Director
Liz Chen, PhD, MPH, Health Behavior MPH Concentration Lead
Suzanne Maman PhD, Global Health MPH Co-Lead
Alex Lightfoot PhD, Equity MPH Co-Lead
Nora Rosenberg PhD, Director of Research
Marissa Hall PhD, Equity Task Force

Melissa Gilkey, PhD Doctoral Program Director

Spotlights

Julie Kafka, PhD, MPH

Kafka receives 2023 Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award

Our Numbers
#1
Public Program
6
Degree Programs
80+
Years of empowering the next generation of global public health leaders, researchers, and change agents.
2,300+
Alumni Network
Promoting healthy behaviors, engaging communities, shaping policy.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Who is my Academic Coordinator?
For general inquiries, please email hbadminsupport@unc.edu
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Mailing Address
Department of Health Behavior
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
135 Dauer Drive
CB #7440
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440
(919) 966-3761
Our offices are located on the third floor of Rosenau Hall.