The Division of Social Medicine at UBC


The Division of Social Medicine is comprised of academic and clinical researchers who focus on the social, structural, environmental and cultural determinants of health, as well as the delivery of health and policy interventions for populations who experience inequities and discrimination in health access and outcomes. Areas of specialization range across substance use, gender and sexual health equity, and infectious diseases. The research conducted by its members is diverse, and encompasses social epidemiology, social science, decolonizing research methods, community-based research, intersectional feminist approaches, clinical trials, health service evaluation, and basic science. Social medicine seeks to understand health disparities and socio-economic inequities, and promote innovations in health service delivery and policies to improve health at individual and population levels. To that end, our work also includes a commitment to advocacy, knowledge translation, and authentic partnerships with affected communities and individuals.

The majority of faculty are hosted across two UBC Faculty of Medicine centres:

The BC Centre on Substance Use and the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity.