#  Health and Population 

 



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 ![Impact of war in Uganda on children. Photo credit: Robbie Ross and Samantha Barnard, Soc 167](/sites/g/files/omnuum1481/files/sociology/files/health_population.jpg)

 

Scholars of the Health and Population cluster study the sociological causes and consequences of dynamics and differences in aging, migration, fertility, mortality, health, and well-being. We have distinctive expertise in cross-national comparisons, social capital, health inequalities, and cultural analysis.

The Department co-sponsors the [Social Demography Seminar](https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/population-development/events/social-demography-seminar/).

[Affiliated Graduate Students](/people/graduate-student-research-clusters/health-population)



 

##  Associated Faculty 

 



  [### Jason Beckfield

 ](/people/jason-beckfield) 

   [### Deirdre Bloome

 ](/people/deirdre-bloome-0) 

   [### Christina Cross

 ](/people/christina-cross) 

   [### Michèle Lamont

 ](/people/michele-lamont) 

   [### Ellis Monk

 ](/people/ellis-monk) 

   [### Christopher Muller

 ](/people/christopher-muller) 

   [### Robert J. Sampson

 ](/people/robert-j-sampson) 

   [### Daniel Schneider

 ](/people/daniel-schneider) 

   [### Dahlia Showalter

 ](/people/dahlia-showalter) 

   [### Mary C. Waters

 ](/people/mary-c-waters) 

  

 

 

 

 

##  News related to Health & Population 

 



  [### Symposium on Patterson's Paradox of Freedom Published

 ](/news/2026/06/symposium-pattersons-paradox-freedom-published) June 15, 2026 

 The European Journal of Sociology has published the remarks delivered at a panel discussion on the life and work of Stone Program faculty affiliate Orlando Patterson, the John Cowles Professor of Sociology at Harvard University. This event took place at... 

 

 

   ![Orlando Patterson](/sites/g/files/omnuum1481/files/styles/hwp_scale_small/public/2025-09/Orlando%20Patterson%20-%20Photo%20for%20Website.jpg.jpeg?itok=P3soM6JC) 

 



 

 

   [### Ellis Monk awarded ASA Theory Section Award

 ](/news/2026/06/ellis-monk-awarded-asa-theory-section-award) June 08, 2026 

 American Sociology Association's Theory Section’s Lewis A Coser Award for Theoretical Agenda-Setting awarded to Professor Ellis Monk. Please see more about the award here . 

 

 

   ![Ellis Monk](/sites/g/files/omnuum1481/files/styles/hwp_scale_small/public/2022-11-22_Dr.-Ellis-Monk_Harvard-University-002-2048x1152.jpg?itok=JAdEggaa) 

 



 

 

   [### The Monk Skin Tone Scale now held in permanent collection of UK museum

 ](/news/2026/06/monk-skin-tone-scale-now-held-permanent-collection-uk-museum) June 02, 2026 

 Learn more about the Monk Skin Tone Scale, and the display at National Science and Media Museum Sound and Vision galleries. 

 

 

   ![Monk skin tone museum display](/sites/g/files/omnuum1481/files/styles/hwp_scale_small/public/2026-06/monk%20scale_museum.jpeg?itok=rAgBrnYj) 

 



 

 

   [### 2026 Sociology Undergraduate Thesis Prizes and Academic Awards

 ](/news/2026/05/2026-sociology-undergraduate-thesis-prizes-and-academic-awards-0) May 26, 2026 

 Students receive Fulton, Hoopes, Cummings, and Rose prizes for outstanding thesis work; Five students inducted to Phi Beta Kappa; Three students accepted to American Sociological Association 2026 Honors Program. Read more here. 

 

 

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   [### Ellis Monk's research highlighted in The Harvard Gazette.

 ](/news/2026/05/ellis-monks-research-highlighted-harvard-gazette) May 26, 2026 

 Lives saved by sociologist’s fix for skin tone bias. An answer to the dangers of colorblind healthcare. The Monk Skin Tone scale, devised in 2019 by Professor Ellis Monk, helps create more accurate medical diagnostic tools for patients with dark skin. 

 

 

   ![Ellis Monk holding skin tone card](/sites/g/files/omnuum1481/files/styles/hwp_scale_small/public/2026-05/Ellis%20Monk.jpg?itok=s12Gt7Qm) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

##  Related Publications 

 



  Download 11 citations  download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=show_more&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_country%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_featuredpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchclusters%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=1196&&&format=bibtex)
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- [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=show_more&number_of_items=3&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_country%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_featuredpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchclusters%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=1196&&&format=ris)
 


 

Beckfield, J., & Krieger, N. (2018). [Political Sociology and the People’s Health (Small Books Big Ideas in Population Health)](/publications/political-sociology-and-peoples-health). In *Small Books Big Ideas in Population Health* (p. 208). Oxford University Press.



 

 

Beckfield, J., & Krieger, N. (2018). [Political Sociology and the People’s Health (Small Books Big Ideas in Population Health)](/publications/political-sociology-and-peoples-health). In *Small Books Big Ideas in Population Health* (p. 208). Oxford University Press.



 

 

 

 

Bakhtiari, E., Olafsdottir, S., & Beckfield, J. (2018). [Institutions, Incorporation, and Inequality: The Case of Minority Health Disparities in Europe](/publications/institutions-incorporation-and-inequality-case-minority-health-disparities). *Journal of Health and Social Behavior*.



 

 

Bakhtiari, E., Olafsdottir, S., & Beckfield, J. (2018). [Institutions, Incorporation, and Inequality: The Case of Minority Health Disparities in Europe](/publications/institutions-incorporation-and-inequality-case-minority-health-disparities). *Journal of Health and Social Behavior*.



 

 

 

 

Brinton, M. C., Bueno, X., Oláh, L., & Hellum, M. (2018). [Postindustrial Fertility Ideals, Intentions, and Gender Inequality: A Comparative Qualitative Analysis](/publications/postindustrial-fertility-ideals-intentions-and-gender-inequality-comparative).  *Population and Development Review*, *44*(2), 281-309.



 

 

Brinton, M. C., Bueno, X., Oláh, L., & Hellum, M. (2018). [Postindustrial Fertility Ideals, Intentions, and Gender Inequality: A Comparative Qualitative Analysis](/publications/postindustrial-fertility-ideals-intentions-and-gender-inequality-comparative).  *Population and Development Review*, *44*(2), 281-309.



 

 

 

 

 



 

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