Department of Social and Behavioral Health News
Housed in the UNLV School of Public Health, the Department of Social and Behavioral Health consists of faculty who engage in research and develop and evaluate community-based programs that promote health and disease prevention. Our students learn to identify high-risk behaviors or trends in specific populations, as well as propose solutions that aim to improve overall public health in communities.
Current Social and Behavioral Health News
A collection of news stories highlighting UNLV’s dedication to community and research.
The Outstanding Faculty Award winner has spent over 40 years helping us understand health behavior.
The research expert recently received a $3.5M grant to conduct a study on LGBTQIA+ caregivers of dementia patients and their experiences.
Manoj Sharma receives Community Engagement Award for his work to provide access and delivery of health care to marginalized groups.
A roundup of news stories highlighting UNLV faculty and students who made headlines locally, nationally, and globally.
A collection of news stories highlighting UNLV students and faculty who made headlines locally, regionally, and internationally.
Social and Behavioral Health In The News
Last year a study done by a major insurance company in India, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, reported that 77% of Indians are experiencing at least one symptom of stress regularly. World Health Organization defines stress as, “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.” In simpler terms, stress is how our body, mind, and behaviors respond to outside events by interpreting them, and making judgments about controlling or influencing them.
Selfishness (matsara or swartha) is an action in which one is concerned exclusively or overly with one’s profit, pleasure, or gain without regard for the welfare of others and often at the expense of others. Selflessness, on the other hand, is placing the welfare of others before one’s own. One cannot be completely selfless to the extent of neglecting one’s priorities or purpose in life. At the same time, one should not be completely selfish, so much so that one completely neglects the needs and wants of others in fulfilling one’s objectives. What is needed is a happy balance between selfishness and selflessness.
Fear (Bhaya) is an emotion that results from the belief that something or someone is hazardous and is likely to induce pain or discomfort. The operative word in this conceptualization is that it is a belief or a perception that may not be factual. It is a hindrance on the spiritual path as well as everyday life. For some of us, it has become a habit to over-assess the negative outcomes and thus we develop fears. Such a disposition is often associated with pessimism.
Aahana (name changed on request), 16 years old, is a high-school student in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-Wisconsin) who came to the United States as a child. She has an older sibling who has been a straight A student and is now in medical school. However, Aahana has always struggled with her performance in school. She has been shamed by her family and Indian-origin peers who have excelled in school. Her poor performance was always attributed to her laziness and a lack of applying herself.
How do we go about surrendering our ego to achieve a greater purpose in life?
"Las Vegas Morning Blend" hosts Elliott Bambrough and Jessica Rosado join UNLV's EARN-FS team as they discuss free workshops and breastfeeding support in collaboration with the Southern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition.