Population Health Sciences

Description/Mission Statement

The Population Health Sciences Special Interest Group (PHS SIG) supports researchers studying health determinants in diverse populations, emphasizing social, environmental, and organizational influences. The SIG supports SBM members and partners to achieve optimum health for all populations in the US.

SIG interests:

• using behavioral science and translational research focused on informing and developing real-world solutions and policies to improve population health spanning from prevention to end of life
• examining outcomes and trends in population health by geographic regions, population subgroups and other socio-environmental factors, with an emphasis on multilevel determinants of health

SIG research and service topics:

• utilizing surveillance and other population-level data resources
• applying technology to improve data accessibility, interoperability, and reuse
• applying data science methods to population-level data to facilitate novel research
• identifying health disparities and health equity concerns and identifying solutions

 

Interested in learning more or joining the PHS SIG?

Here are some ways you can find out more about our ongoing initiatives in the Population Health Sciences or join our group:
 

SIG Meeting Schedule

Consider joining an upcoming PHS SIG quarterly meeting. Meetings are usually an hour long and held in

1. August (virtual)
2. December (virtual)
3. January (virtual)
4. March (in-person at annual conference)

Contact current Chair Tao Zhang to be added to the meeting invite.

 

Ongoing SIG Activities

We welcome your participation! We are seeking members who would be interested in joining our current SIG sub-committees (below) and developing new initiatives.
 

Abstract Review Sub-Committee

Every year the PHS SIG recognizes research excellence in population health by giving a Best Overall Abstract Award ($500) and a Best Student Abstract Award ($500) based on top-scoring annual meeting abstracts. We are seeking abstract reviewers to support our Outstanding Abstract Awards. 

Past Awardees

• 2024-2025 Abstract Awardees: Asal Pilehvari, PhD (Best Overall Abstract), Namoonga M. Mantina, MSPH, MBA (Best Student Abstract)
• 2023-2024 Abstract Awardees: Jennifer Moss, PhD (Best Overall Abstract), Shannon White, MS (Best Student Abstract)

Contact current Chair Tao Zhang if you are interested in participating.

 

Networking, Training, & Mentoring Sub-Committee

Our SIG actively supports training and networking at any career stage. We can connect you to other PHS SIG members and set up a mentoring or other professional relationship with a population health leader. You are also welcome to share your research during our SIG Quarterly meetings. This could be in the form of a mini-talk (10-15 mins), lightning talk (5 mins or less) or otherwise. 

Contact Rick Moser at moserr@mail.nih.gov if you are interested in participating.

 

Dissemination & Communication Sub-Committee

Writing Team

We are seeking members who would like to collaborate on Outlook newsletter and/or Healthy Living articles to support any of the following populations:

1. American Indians/Native Americans/Alaska Natives
2. Rural
3. Living in persistent poverty
4. Mental health concerns
5. Living with a disability
    

Communications Team 

Our Communications Team manages SIG-related communications and website updates. We would like to continue expanding the social media presence of our SIG. We welcome your ideas e.g., past student liaisons ran a social media campaign on LinkedIn prior to the annual meeting to increase visibility of their population health-related work and SBM.  

Contact current Chair Tao Zhang if you are interested in participating.
 

Special Collection of Outlook Articles on Sources of Data

• National Data Related to Reproductive Health and Health Care - Where to Go When You Need Quick Statistics About the Health of Persons Who are or May Become Pregnant. (Spring 2024).
• National Data - Where to Go When You Need National or State Numbers on Demographics, Disease Burden, or Behavioral Risk Factors. (Spring 2019).
   

PHS SIG Webinars

• A Simple Introduction to Analyzing Complex Survey Data (6/29/23)
• Use of Spatial Data to Enhance Behavioral Medicine Research (9/14/23)
• Integrating Spatial Data Analytics and GIS into the Study of Climate Change and Health (9/21/23)

 

Thank you for your interest and we hope to connect with you soon!