Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Our mission is to optimize the health and well-being of individuals, families, and populations across the life course through public health science, teaching and practice locally, nationally, and globally.
Population, Family and Reproductive Health Headlines
Registration Open for 2026 Summer Institute in Data to Policy
Registration now open for courses in management, strategic leadership, youth engagement, policy analysis, resource management, and evaluation of programs and/or research.
New Study Reveals Significant Decline in Global Obstetric Fistula Cases
The substantial reduction in prevalence, revealed by new data collection, is likely a result of international prevention efforts, skilled birth attendants, and access to emergency obstetric care and surgical care for caesarean sections.
Students Reflect on Their ICFP Experiences
Master’s and doctoral trainees got behind-the-scenes and on-site experience at the world’s largest scientific conference on family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
What We Do in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
The Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health is dedicated to improving health throughout the life course worldwide. We train research scientists, public health leaders, and health professionals to excel in careers related to a broad spectrum of population, family, and reproductive health issues.
Population, Family and Reproductive Health Highlights
Alumni Network
1,000+ alumni living in 50+ countries
Research and Practice
11 centers and initiatives enhance your education
MCH Center of Excellence
Recipient of Maternal and Child Health grants from HHS/HRSA for 70 years
Unique Field Opportunities
Students have recently worked with UNICEF, the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, International Health Research Institute, and WIC
Population, Family and Reproductive Health Programs
Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
The MSPH enables students to integrate coursework in the life course framework, PFRH areas of interest, policy, program management, and leadership with practical knowledge and skills.
Master of Health Science (MHS)
The MHS provides training in the life course framework, PFRH areas of interest statistics, and research and evaluation methods.
Bachelor's / Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
The Bachelor's/MSPH is designed exclusively for undergraduate students currently enrolled at Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The emphasis of the PhD program is to apply coursework in life course theory, population, and core PFRH areas of interest through mentored, original, investigator-initiated research.
Centers and Institutes in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
PFRH is home to eleven research centers and initiatives that provide unrivaled hands-on experience with industry leaders domestically and globally.
Center for Adolescent Health
Center on the Early Life Origins of Disease
Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health
Johns Hopkins Center for Global Women’s Health and Gender Equity
Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI)
Early Childhood Services Research Program
William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health
Global Early Adolescent Study
Hopkins Population Center
STRONG Research Program
Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
Michele R. Decker, ScD, MPH
Michele Decker, ScD, leads research at the cutting edge of gender equity, and gender-based violence prevention and response, in close partnership with practitioners and communities most affected.
Support Our Department
This work is made possible in part by contributions to from generous donors.