Between 18th century and 19th century, scientists had combined research and action in social behaviour and environmental health. This integration proved to be strategic in explaining and finding solutions for health problems. The importance of social determinants of healthand how it affected health and environmental status was increasingly recognized in early 20th century. This indicated that interdisciplinary approach was needed to tackle health problems. The increased incidence of behavioural-related health problems also showed that social approach is needed in public health intervention. It is clear that the health status of the society is determined by many factors, such as behavior, environment and health.In Faculty of Medicine, studies related to health behavior, environmental health and social determinants of health had been developed since 1992. In 2008, the environmental health division was merged into the public health program department, followed by the occupational health division in 2014.

Department of Health Behaviour, Environmental Health and Social Medicine (HBESM) was established in 2014 with the mission to improve internationally recognized education, research and community service in health behaviour, environmental health and social medicine. Our educational mission is to educate scholars with in-depth knowledge on health behaviour, environmental health and social medicine, and to equip them with the capability in assessing behaviour and social needs related to health and environmental problems; and capability in planning, implementing and evaluating public health programs that encompass health behaviour and environmental health and social medicine components.

The Department of HBESM also provides community services, for example consultancy, training, seminars, and community education activities. Community service aims to deliver intervention to help improving community health, especially those related to health behaviour,environmental health and social medicine. In addition, intervention which engages community empowerment also allows the Department of HBESM to translate theory and research into practice.

Research on health behaviour and promotion, environmental health and occupational health continuously evolve with the growing needs of the society. Research in the Department encompasses  communicable disease, non-communicable disease, tobacco control, community empowerment, advocacy, climate change, environmental management system, environmental health risk analysis and occupational health. Department HBESM has established collaboration with local and international institutions, such as the local and national health ministry, World Bank, ILO, Family Planning board, ILO, IDRC, RITC, GTTEC, NIH, WHO, CDC, etc. With 20 years of experience in research and practices in health behaviour and environmental health, Department of HBESM enthusiastically embraces the integration of health behaviour, environmental health and social medicine approach to answer the global demands of health problems and promote effective interventions.