The Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Augusta University has launched its Center for Bioethics and Health Policy to address the challenges in biomedical ethics, health policy and public health.

The CBHP’s interdisciplinary membership will include community members, faculty and staff representing various colleges within the university and its health system who will collaborate to develop a bioethical and health policy curriculum for students, create state and federal health policies, and conduct research aimed at improving population health.

“As Georgia’s only public academic health center, Augusta University has unique strengths and responsibilities in developing biomedical research responsive to community health needs,” said Dr. Bill Strong, center director. “With the launching of the CBHP, our institution continues to position itself as a leader in the field in bioethics and public health, and I look forward to our discovering innovative solutions for the ever-changing health care issues facing our nation.”

In addition to research and policy development, Strong says the center will soon begin offering a Master’s degree in Bioethics and Health Policy with concentrations in medical humanities, spirituality and health policy.