social science

The Social Side of Health

Understanding Social and Behavioral Research in the IRP

social and behavioral science diagram

The NIH IRP is world-renowned for its high-risk, high-reward biomedical research. While the NIH may be best known for its clinical and biomedical research on topics from cancer to allergies to addiction, IRP investigators have also produced a rich body of work conducted in the area of social and behavioral research (SBR). In this post, I will describe how SBR furthers the NIH’s goals of improving human health with some examples of the excellent work done by SBR investigators in the IRP.

Great IRP Events: How Do You Make Medical Decisions?

The Intramural Research Programs within 24 NIH Institutes and Centers offer a rich calendar of events highlighting research by people who are often leaders in their fields. One of this year’s great lectures is available to watch in the video linked below—its content very compelling, considering the social science research that many of our IRP scientists conduct.

Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartzband at NIH