Explore the social, cultural, ethical and policy forces shaping health and healthcare — and prepare for evolving careers across health, wellness and the health professions. Pursue a customized curriculum with the option of integrated pre-medical or pre-health tracks.
Social, cultural and ethical dimensions of healthcare
The BA in Health, Medicine, and Society (HMS) equips students to understand and address the complex social, cultural, political and economic forces that shape health and healthcare in today’s world. This interdisciplinary major explores how factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, public policy, history and global systems influence access to care, health outcomes and ethical decision-making.
As an HMS student, you will examine questions such as:
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How do social inequalities affect health outcomes?
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What role does public policy play in shaping healthcare systems?
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How do cultural beliefs influence medical decision-making?
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What ethical challenges emerge in modern medicine and biotechnology?
Coursework integrates perspectives from sociology, public health, bioethics, history and psychology, helping you develop strong analytical, research and communication skills. You’ll learn to evaluate healthcare policies, analyze health data within social contexts, engage in ethical reasoning, and advocate for equitable health practices.
Through this program, you will gain not only knowledge of healthcare systems, but also the critical thinking skills and social awareness necessary to improve health outcomes and provide patient-centered care.
