Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Wellness

The Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington (SPH-B) stands as a beacon of comprehensive health promotion, driven by a clear and ambitious mission: to elevate the well-being of individuals and communities. This is achieved through a harmonious blend of multidisciplinary research, innovative teaching, and proactive community engagement.

What sets SPH-B apart is its commitment to tackling health challenges from every conceivable angle. It’s a place where health-promotion specialists collaborate with legal experts and even underwater archaeologists, a testament to the school’s belief that health is influenced by a vast array of factors, both obvious and unexpected. Faculty and students delve into a diverse range of topics, from cancer recovery strategies to the dangers of soil contamination, the opioid crisis, and myriad other issues that directly impact health and environmental outcomes.

A Hub of Expertise:

SPH-B boasts a distinguished faculty comprising over 200 academic appointees across five departments. This collective expertise forms an unparalleled repository of knowledge, poised to shape the future of healthcare and promote overall wellness. These award-winning, research-focused, and teaching-oriented faculty members are not merely instructors; they are thought leaders and innovators in a spectrum of critical fields, including aging, mental health, obesity, water safety, family systems, addiction, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and sexual health.

Five Lenses on Wellness:

The school’s unique approach is further underscored by its five distinct departments, each examining wellness through its own specialized lens:

• Department of Applied Health Science: This department focuses on the practical application of health knowledge, housing facilities dedicated to applied behavior research, industrial hygiene, and nutrition science. Its centers and institutes delve into pressing issues like health disparities, sexual health promotion, addictive behavior, and behavioral wellness. Graduates emerge as skilled health educators, policy advocates, safety directors, nutritionists, and other vital professionals.

• Department of Environmental and Occupational Health: With a focus on the interplay between our environment and our health, this department seeks to identify, understand, and prevent environmentally related diseases. Cutting-edge laboratories support rigorous research into environmental health challenges on both local and global scales. Graduates are equipped to ensure the safety of working conditions, water, food, and air quality, while others champion sustainable societies and the benefits of green spaces. Shawn Miya, an alumnus, exemplifies this dedication, stating that SPH-B allowed him to merge his passions for the environment and public health, leading to a career where he addresses the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations.

• Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics: This department studies the distribution and patterns of health events, providing statistical methodology on topics in human health. It houses the Big Ten’s only accredited undergraduate degree in epidemiology. Graduates develop a strong foundation for careers in academia, industry, and government. Dr. Kellee Harper-Hanigan, a graduate with a doctorate in epidemiology, emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the program, highlighting how it enabled her to apply her physical therapy knowledge to biomechanics. She credits her training for fostering innovative problem-solving skills.

• Department of Health & Wellness Design: This department breaks new ground by focusing on the purposeful design of medical, social, recreational, and therapeutic infrastructure to cultivate healthier and happier lives. Courses and research explore behavioral health economics, policy, human-centered design, hospitality, tourism, systems management, lifestyle technology, and social entrepreneurship. Graduates find fulfilling careers in diverse sectors, including business, healthcare management, recreation therapy, government public health services, nonprofit organizations, universities, and research centers.

• Department of Kinesiology: From undergraduate programs in exercise science and sport marketing and management to a doctoral degree in human behavior, the Department of Kinesiology offers a comprehensive examination of the human body and its relationship to health. Its nine specialized laboratories investigate exercise science, clinical neurotrauma, biomechanics, neuromuscular control, and physical activity promotion in diverse populations. Graduates pursue careers as healthcare professionals, athletic administrators, exercise physiologists, and human performance professionals.

Impacting Health on a Global Scale:

The impact of SPH-B extends far beyond the borders of Indiana. Through person-centered approaches, hands-on learning, and expert guidance, the school empowers its students to improve health outcomes in communities around the globe. Alumni are actively shaping the health of individuals, families, and communities in cities, villages, and homes worldwide. Students find passionate colleagues and mentors who guide them to success in life and career.

SPH-B’s unwavering dedication to comprehensive health promotion makes it a unique and vital institution. By embracing multidisciplinary collaboration, fostering innovation, and empowering its students to become leaders in their fields, the school is shaping a healthier future for all.

To delve deeper into the work and offerings of the Indiana University SPH-B, visit publichealth.indiana.edu.