Description/Mission Statement

The mission of the Health Equity SIG is to advance health equity for marginalized and minoritized populations through cutting-edge behavioral science.

Vision

We envision a future in which all people have equitable opportunity to attain their full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances. We strive to create a thriving community of behavioral scientists focused on advancing global health equity.

We pursue our vision through the following:

• Building an inclusive and diverse forum for SBM members who are invested in health equity
• Fostering health equity research, practice, advocacy, teaching, and mentoring collaborations by connecting SBM members
• Increasing culturally and linguistically appropriate services, interventions, and strategies
• Facilitating equitable representation of SBM members on SBM councils and committees, in SBM leadership positions, and in the peer-review process

We believe behavioral science can be instrumental in moving the needle to reduce and, ultimately, eliminate health inequities. If you agree, please join us by becoming a member of the Health Equity SIG and/or by partnering with us.

Guiding Terms

A health inequity, or health disparity, is “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group; religion; socioeconomic status; gender; age; mental health; cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion.”

Health equity is “the attainment of the highest level of health for all people. Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and health care disparities.” 

https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople
https://health.gov/our-work/national-health-initiatives/healthy-people/healthy-people-2030/questions-answers

 

Ways to Engage with the Health Equity SIG and Leadership Structure

1. Join the HE SIG roster to be added to our listserv: Log in to the Members Only section of the SBM website, click My Profile, and then edit the SIG section under the Professional tab. If you have questions or difficulty, email info@sbm.org.
2. Join one of our subcommittees or larger Planning Committee to get more involved with the SIG and network with your peers and mentors.
   1. Email any members of the leadership team to inquire and/or join (see top of the page for their information)!

 

Planning Committee

In addition to the HE SIG leadership (see Leadership structure Figure), we rely on our Planning Committee to co-design and implement SIG initiatives and activities. Our Planning Committee meets monthly and discusses various ongoing efforts, plans for submissions and collaborations for the annual meeting, and serves to guide the leadership of the SIG. Subcommittees often report on their efforts at the Planning Committee and receive additional feedback from the group. We always welcome new members to the Planning Committee, no experience needed! Come join and learn more about our efforts. Members of the Planning Committee often serve on various subcommittees that fit their interests, but that is not required. Likewise, you can join a subcommittee(s) and not the Planning Committee.

 

Communications Subcommittee

This subcommittee oversees many of our communication efforts, including Outlook and Healthy Living articles, social media, and the newsletter.

See some of our recent publication efforts below:

Outlook Articles

• Rabbani S, Ou L, Canton I, Andreae S, Newton R. Recruitment of Diverse Populations into Research: Blending the Old and the New. Society of Behavioral Medicine Outlook Newsletter, Summer 2024.
• Breland J, Hoerster K. Centering Black Veterans’ Voices with Photovoice to Identify Challenges and Solutions for VA Weight Management Care. Society of Behavioral Medicine Outlook Newsletter, Summer 2024.
• Cousin L, Rodriguez Espinosa P, Shen M, Carson TL. A Call to Action: Compounded Vulnerability of Energy Insecurity, Socioeconomic Disadvantage, and Health in Climate Change. Society of Behavioral Medicine Outlook Newsletter, Summer 2022.
• Njie-Carr VPS, Carson TL, Dahl AA, Shen MJ, Wigfall LT. Countering the Negative Effects of Racial Injustice and Systemic Racism – Call to Action, Call to Support: Racial Equity & Inclusion Series Part 1. Society of Behavioral Medicine Outlook Newsletter; Spring 2021.

Healthy Living Articles

• Alcaraz KI, Carson TL, Rodriguez Espinosa P, Tarfa A. Why Racial Justice Matters for Our Health.

Position or Policy Statements

• Pagoto S, Shen M, Carson T, Waring M, Manne S, Buscemi J, Fitzgibbon M, Baskin M, Cardel M. Protect Abortion Rights. June 2022.

Other Publications

• Special issue of Translational Behavioral Medicine: Volume 12, Issue 9, September 2022, Special Issue on Interventions to Promote Health Equity

 

Scientific Writing Subcommittee

This subcommittee enhances research and scholarship within the HE SIG. It fosters collaboration among HE SIG members to generate manuscripts, motivates writing, and tracks and encourages writing productivity. Additionally, the subcommittee works to increase representation of health equity scholarship at SBM’s Annual Meeting and in scientific publications, advocating for inclusive and impactful research dissemination.

Recent examples of work supported by the subcommittee include:

Bucher, A., Chaudhry, B. M., Davis, J. W., Lawrence, K., Panza, E., Baqer, M., … & Kepper, M. (2024). How to design equitable digital health tools: A narrative review of design tactics, case studies, and opportunities. PLOS Digital Health, 3(8), e0000591. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000591

Kepper, M. M., Fowler, L. A., Kusters, I. S., Davis, J. W., Baqer, M., Sagui-Henson, S., … & Klesges, L. M. (2024). Expanding a behavioral view on digital health access: Drivers and strategies to promote equity. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e51355. https://doi.org/10.2196/51355

 

Education and Professional Development Subcommittee

The Education and Professional Development Subcommittee supports the professional development of HE SIG members by providing educational resources and career advancement opportunities. This subcommittee develops programming such as pre-conference workshops, webinars, and networking sessions to enhance knowledge and skill-building in health equity research and practice. They also facilitate mentorship initiatives, connecting early-career professionals and trainees with senior researchers and practitioners in the field. Additionally, the subcommittee collaborates with other SIGs and professional organizations to expand career development resources and foster interdisciplinary partnerships.”

 

Awards Subcommittee

This subcommittee oversees our annual SIG award process. They have developed processes and infrastructure to solicit nominations, process those nominations, oversee the voting process and liaison with the leadership team to finalize winners, order awards, and oversee the award ceremony as part of our Business Meeting during the Annual meeting. The subcommittee has advised SBM on their overall awards and health equity language and components, and has also developed new awards and revamped award descriptions and criteria over the last few years.

 

Student/Trainee Advisory Subcommittee

This subcommittee oversees the engagement of our students and trainees. They develop activities, report on student/trainee needs to the Planning Committee and the leadership team. They also support HE SIG networking events at the Annual meeting, work on submissions for the Annual meeting around student/trainee needs, and support other HE SIG activities (e.g., webinars, articles and other activities with a student/trainee focus). A member of this subcommittee serves on the leadership team as the Student/Trainee Liaison.”

 

Health Equity SIG Webinars

Our SIG develops webinars with the input of our members. You can find past webinar titles below, which you can find under your SBM member page (see Webinar Recordings).

• Advancing Health Equity and Climate Justice through Behavioral Science and Translational Research
• Advancing Diversity in Behavioral Medicine Clinical Trials: Strategies for Inclusive Recruitment and Retention
• Translating and implementing community-based participatory research: How assessing needs of faith communities became a model for promoting health equity in diverse settings
• Infusing Social Determinants of Health into Behavioral Medicine
• Addressing Disparities in the Community Reintegration of Survivors of TBI
• Diversifying the Investigator Workforce
• Communications series :
  • How to Communicate Your Science to the Public: Op-Eds
  • How to Communicate Your Science to The Public: Health Policy Briefs and Position Statements
  • How to Communicate Your Science to The Public: Infographics
• Demystifying SBM Awards: Insights and Tips for a Compelling Application
• Landing your First R01     

 

Health Equity SIG Awards

Each year at the SBM Annual Meeting, the Health Equity SIG recognizes outstanding members of SBM under the following awards (full descriptions of each award can be found here):

• Lifetime Achievement Award:
  • 2025 Award recipient: Michelle Martin, PhD, FACSM, FSBM
  • 2024 Award recipient: Dawn Wilson-King, PhD, FSBM
  • 2023 Award recipient: Jasjit Singh Ahluwalia, MD, MPH, MS
  • 2022 Award recipient: Lorna McNeil, PhD, MPH
  • 2021 Award recipient: Marian Fitzgibbon, PhD
  • 2020 Award recipient: Cathy Meade, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • 2019 Award recipient: Amelie Ramirez, MPH, DrPH
     
• Mentor Award:
  • 2025 Award recipient: Charles Rogers, PhD
  • 2024 Award recipient: Amanda Staiano, PhD, MPP, MS, FSBM
  • 2023 Award recipient: Olayinka Shiyanbola, PhD BPharm
  • 2022 Award recipient: Monica Baskin, PhD
  • 2021 Award recipient: Betina Yanez, PhD
  • 2020 Award recipient: Lorna McNeil, PhD, MPH
  • 2019 Award recipient: Clement Gwede, PhD, MPH, RN
     
• Service Award:
  • 2025 Award recipient: Kristina Tatum, PsyD
  • 2024 Award recipient: Susan J. Andreae, PhD, MPH
  • 2023 Award recipient: Megan Shen, PhD
  • 2022 Award recipients: Crystal Lumpkins, PhD and Hallie Espel Huyhn, PhD
  • 2021 Award recipient: Emily Panza, PhD
  • 2020 Award recipient: Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • 2019 Award recipient: Shannon Christy, PhD
     
• Student Research Award:
  • 2025 Award recipient: Cindy Pan
  • 2024 Award recipient: Catherine Wall
  • 2023 Award recipient: Emily “Em” Lemon
  • 2022 Award recipient: Anthony Hitch
  • 2021 Award recipient: Matthew Sullivan
  • 2020 Award recipient: Vanessa Kauffman
  • 2019 Award recipient: Jeanean Naqvi
     
• Early Career Award:
  • 2025 Award recipients: Milkie Vu, PhD (faculty) and Alexandra Wynn, PhD (postdoctoral scholar)
  • 2024 Award recipients: Loneke Blackman Carr, PhD, RD (faculty) and Nathaniel Woodard, PhD, MPH (postdoctoral scholar)
  • 2023 Award recipients: Dalnim Cho, PhD (faculty) and Kristal Lyn Brown, PhD (postdoctoral scholar)