Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University 

The Department of Sociomedical Sciences in the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University is home to a number of new initiatives focusing on sexuality, sexual health and sexual rights. Highlights of the work being developed include a new master’s degree track in sexuality and health, a new research center, and an international policy monitoring and advocacy program.

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Sexuality and Health
http://cait.cpmc.columbia.edu:88/dept/sph/sexhealth-track.html

The Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University now offers a new Master’s of Public Health (M.P.H.) program concentrating in Sexuality and Health. Courses will be first offered in the Fall of 2003. The first of its kind, this program will provide public health students with the conceptual and practical skills necessary to identify, analyze and address health issues connected to sexuality within a global context. These skills include the design, implementation and evaluation of policies, programs and advocacy efforts to enhance sexual health. Program graduates will be likely to work in organizations that address sexual health exclusively or as part of a broader agenda. Administered by the Mailman School of Public Health, the Sexuality and Health track is an interdepartmental program, jointly created and delivered by the Department of Sociomedical Sciences and the Department of Population and Family Health. The M.P.H. program continues to build upon the Mailman School’s institutional commitment to investigating the global dimensions of sexuality and health issues.

The Center for Gender, Sexuality and Health

Established by the Department of Sociomedical Sciences in 2001, the Center for Gender, Sexuality and Health promotes research and training activities on the social and cultural dimensions of sexuality, as well as policy-relevant research on issues related to sexual health, sexual rights and sexual education. The Center develops programs related to diverse cultures and communities, including ethnic and sexual minorities, both in the United States and internationally. In addition to its research and training programs, the Center’s work seeks to contribute to better information sharing and dissemination of research findings, and to the development of collaborative partnerships between researchers, advocates, practitioners and policy makers working on issues related to gender, sexuality and health.

The International Working Group on Sexuality and Social Policy

The International Working Group (IWG) on Sexuality and Social Policy is comprised of leading international experts working on issues related to sexuality, policy and politics. It aims to promote linkages between the local and regional initiatives in these areas, and to create a forum to stimulate global policy debate related to sexuality, sexual health, and sexual rights. The secretariat for the IWG is based in the Center for Gender, Sexuality and Health. Its composition and activities have a global focus, involving participants from countries in all of the major geographic regions of the world, and developing a series of meetings and related activities taking place internationally.