BA in Medicine, Health and Society in Nashville United States | Vanderbilt University

The Medicine, Health, and Society (MHS) major explores how cultural, economic, population, and biological influences shape health outcomes. This cutting-edge interdisciplinary program combines medical science, humanities, and social science perspectives to move beyond conventional biomedical views of health and disease.

MHS students develop critical thinking skills about societal health challenges and create practical solutions for healthcare emergencies through both academic and experiential learning. The program prepares students to address evolving healthcare system demands and transformations in medical training. Our department focuses on cultivating future healthcare leaders across various fields - from clinical practitioners to policy analysts and health economists.

Students tailor their MHS education through required courses, specialized electives, and focused concentration areas. Available concentrations include:

Global Health: Examines social/political factors in worldwide health inequities, historical public health approaches, cultural health perspectives, and international healthcare systems.
Health Economics and Policy: Focuses on financial, legal, and governmental aspects of healthcare.
Health Behavior and Sciences: Investigates societal influences on health outcomes.
Health Equity and Social Justice: Analyzes how intersecting inequalities create health disparities and explores activist approaches to reducing inequities.
Medical Humanities: Challenges fundamental assumptions about health and medicine through humanistic inquiry.
Customized Health Studies: Allows students to design individualized programs with faculty mentorship.