The ultimate goal of these efforts is to reduce death and disability and improve quality of life. Faculty in the Department conduct research, using classical epidemiologic observational studies, clinical trials and population-based experiments, in disease prevention. 

Faculty have opportunities to participate in teaching in the School of Medicine, the Biomedical Graduate Program, and the Physician Assistant Studies Program, and have mentored students, trainees, and junior faculty across these programs.

The Department jointly sponsors, with other Departments, and the Clinical and Population Translational Sciences Graduate Program.