What does BCHS mean in HEALTHCARE

Behavioral and Community Health Sciences (BCHS) is an interdisciplinary field of study focusing on human behavior and its impact on community health. It includes the fields of public health, epidemiology, social sciences, nutrition, physical activity, environmental health, mental health, and more.

BCHS combines research from multiple disciplines to explore how behavioral changes can promote healthier communities. This includes creating interventions that encourage positive behaviors in individuals as well as implementing policies in the community that promote well-being.

Topics studied in BCHS range widely and may include physical activity promotion in schools or workplace wellness programs; mental health stigma reduction; maternal and child health initiatives; nutrition education; substance abuse prevention; public safety policies; housing policies related to public health; environmental pollution control strategies; emergent infectious diseases control measures; body weight management strategies; occupational safety regulation compliance; or tobacco control programs.

Yes! A degree in BCHS can open up many opportunities for those who wish to pursue a career impacting the lives of their local community through promotion of healthy behaviors. Graduates with this degree are qualified for positions ranging from mental wellness coordinator to policy analyst or media specialist at the local level all the way up to program director or executive at state or national organizations devoted to bettering the lives of citizens through improved community wellbeing.

Graduates with degrees in BCHS may find themselves working within state or national government agencies concerned with population-level healthcare such as CDCs or other publichealth organizations as well as non-profits dedicated to improving the welfare of their local communities. They may also be employed by educational institutions such as universities doing research into behavioral change initiatives or consulting companies providing assessments related to employee wellness programs.