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Research Focal Areas

Over the past 50 years, the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies has shifted in its concerns about overpopulation and has expanded its focus to examine relevant questions involving demographic shifts, resources, health, and the environment. We continue to rely strongly on a robust cadre of multi-disciplinary faculty to advance the field of population science. Although we cover an array of topics, we address some of the world’s leading population and demographic challenges by focusing on the following four research focal areas:

Social & Environmental Determinants of Population Health

Aging Societies

Workplace & Well-being

Social & Family Demography

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Research Projects

The Harvard Pop Center is currently involved in numerous projects that span our four focal areas and capitalize on the expertise of our wide range of faculty members.

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Working Papers

The Harvard Pop Center offers two series of working papers:

HCPDS Working Paper Series

Archive of Older Working Papers,

Recent publications & news

Does alcohol consumption play a role in the spread of HIV among older adults in South Africa?

January 5, 2021
A study by HAALSI researchers finds that increased and more frequent alcohol consumption among older adults in South Africa is linked with higher levels of sexual risk taking, patterns of behavior that could contribute to the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Claudia Goldin is first woman to receive Nemmers Prize in Economics

December 11, 2020
Harvard Pop Center faculty member Claudia Goldin, PhD, has been awarded the 2020 Nemmers Prize in Economics by Northwestern University. Dr. Goldin was selected to receive this prize “for her groundbreaking insights into the history of the American economy, the evolution of gender roles and the interplay of technology, human capital and labor markets.” Congratulations, … Continue reading “Claudia Goldin is first woman to receive Nemmers Prize in Economics”
Synthesizing hope: How to mitigate health disparities after natural disaster strikes

December 9, 2020
Researchers affiliated with the RISK study have published a study in the journal Health Affairs that summarizes the findings of the 15-year study that followed low-income parents who survived Hurricane Katrina. The lessons learned inform these key priorities: Prevention (improve climate resilience and evacuation planning); uninterrupted health care; less administrative work for survivors; strong community … Continue reading “Synthesizing hope: How to mitigate health disparities after natural disaster strikes”
Today.com reports: “Women who work for pay have slower memory loss as they age”

December 8, 2020
A study with former postdoctoral fellow Erika Sabbath, ScD, and Harvard Pop Center Director Lisa Berkman, PhD (on sabbatical 2020-2021) among the authors reports that women who worked for pay during early adulthood and later in life (even if they left the workforce to raise children but later returned) have slower rates of memory decline … Continue reading “Today.com reports: “Women who work for pay have slower memory loss as they age””
Is depression a barrier to receiving social support among aging adults in rural South Africa?

December 4, 2020
A study by researchers affiliated with the population-based study Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI), including Harvard Pop Center Research Scientist Elyse Jennings, PhD, finds that those study participants reporting symptoms of depression were less likely to receive some types of social support, and there … Continue reading “Is depression a barrier to receiving social support among aging adults in rural South Africa?”