Overview

The Department of Health Education and Health Promotion at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences is dedicated to understanding and transforming the behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of population health. Grounded in behavioral sciences, communication theory, and public health psychology, our discipline moves beyond conventional clinical care to empower individuals, families, and communities to adopt sustainable healthy lifestyles. By designing evidence-based educational interventions and multi-level health advocacy strategies, we bridge the gap between biomedical knowledge and community health literacy.

History and Evolution

Health education in Iran carries a rich historical legacy, gaining structured momentum following the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, of which Iran was a founding member. Initially focusing on national communicable disease control and malaria eradication during the 1950s, the national health education apparatus expanded rapidly, culminating in the establishment of dedicated central health education bureaus in the 1970s.

In step with modern epidemiological transitions toward lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases, the Department of Health Education and Health Promotion within the School of Health at MUMS evolved to address contemporary behavioral health challenges. Today, the department offers comprehensive postgraduate degree programs, including both Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) tracks in Health Education and Health Promotion.

Academic & Research Scope

Our academic, research, and intervention programs focus on empowering communities and reinforcing health systems through evidence-informed strategies:

• Behavioral Change Theories & Interventions: Developing, implementing, and evaluating tailored health behavior models for prevention and chronic disease self-management.
• Health Communication & Digital Literacy: Leveraging modern digital platforms, multimedia technologies, and risk communication strategies to elevate public health awareness.
• Applied Community & Policy Research: Conducting commissioned and investigator-initiated research projects to resolve operational public health challenges and guide national health policy.
• Workplace & School Health Promotion: Implementing structural and educational health promotion frameworks across educational institutions, industrial settings, and vulnerable population groups.

Mission and Vision

• Our Mission: To educate visionary, ethically committed, and scientifically competent health educators and researchers; conduct translational research on behavioral health; and design innovative health promotion programs that empower populations to achieve optimal well-being.
• Our Vision: To be recognized as a leading regional center of academic excellence and social impact in health behavior science, recognized for cultivating innovative leaders who drive national health literacy and disease prevention.