The inquiry into the ways in which religion and public health intersect has a vibrant presence at Emory University.  Emory’s distinctive Graduate Department of Religion and the Rollins School of Public Health provide the undergirding for the work of two Emory entities, IHP and the Religion and Public Health Collaborative.  These two programs study the relationship of religion and public health and its effects, both positive and negative, on the population, and they actively partner with one another through teaching, research, and service.

The Interfaith Health Program (IHP) at the Rollins School of Public Heath began at the Carter Center in 1992, with the aim of advancing the health of individuals and communities, particularly through prevention and health promotion.  Its national and global reach connects government leaders, religious organizations, academic institutions, and a wide variety of community partners to address the challenges and opportunities of this field of inquiry.

The Religion and Public Health Collaborative (RPHC) has its roots at Emory as part of Emory’s strategic plan, “Where Courageous Inquiry Leads.”  Its primary focus is to encourage a multi-school, interdisciplinary conversation within Emory, the wider Atlanta community, and national and international public health practitioners and research scholars that addresses religion as a social determinant of public health.

IHP and the RPHC faculty teach several courses in religion and public health that are cross-listed across several schools at Emory, as well as conduct monthly seminars on various pressing issues in the field.