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Both physical and mental well-being are shaped by societal factors and embedded in social dynamics. Our health status depends on interpersonal relationships, social attributes (such as race, ethnicity, and gender), geographic location, economic means, and engagements with societal structures (including families, educational institutions, religious organizations, and healthcare systems). These social health determinants create significant disparities in wellness outcomes, vulnerability to illness, exposure to violence, and early mortality. The field of sociology has consistently examined the societal origins and impacts of health challenges, along with the fundamental social mechanisms that sustain these relationships across diverse circumstances. Penn State's sociology department stands at the forefront globally in researching health-related social phenomena, exploring connections between wellness and family structures, migration patterns, lifespan development, and structures of social disparity.