The Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences will focus on teaching, research and development that increases understanding of the individual person functioning in social, cultural and historical contexts in order to promote related knowledge, attitudes and skills among faculty and students, and to influence the design of more effective and sustainable public health interventions. It will play a key role in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and in developing health promoting capacities through community engagement; it will foster psychologically and socially innovative thinking, and strive to create conditions for informed, ethical, and competent citizens, who are lifelong learners capable of taking a larger role in their own health, in a pluralistic society.