Social and Behavioral Determinants of Toxic Stress

In this science talk, David Williams, PhD, MPH, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health looks at the social and behavioral factors–including socioeconomic status, race, discrimination, and place–that play a role in triggering toxic stress for children and adults. He also discusses what effective solutions for reducing toxic stress and improving health must look like.

Williams is the Florence and Laura Norman Professor of Public Health and a Professor of African and African American Studies and Sociology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a Center on the Developing Child affiliated faculty member.