Outlook | A Quarterly Newsletter of the Society of Behavioral Medicine

Focus on SBM Scientific and Professional Liaisons

Highlight: American Heart Association

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) currently have more similarities than differences in relation to core elements of their respective mission and goals. Some of the similarities include a focus on interdisciplinary research and training initiatives, a valuing of multi-level efforts designed to promote individual and population health, and an emphasis on partnering with other organizations in selected activities that are consistent with the mission and vision. With the body of evidence supporting the critically important role of behavior in promoting health and preventing adverse health conditions, the AHA has emphasized potentially modifiable behaviors as the cornerstone of cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention across the life course of individuals and diverse populations. Most recently, the AHA has also placed emphasis on psychosocial factors and potentially modifiable environments as important targets for promoting optimal health and preventing and reducing risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The AHA and SBM have been collaborating on a number of initiatives including scientific statements, advisories and programming that reflect these common areas of emphasis. Recognizing the individual and collective expertise of our Society, AHA has and continues to seek consultation and involvement of our members and our Society in selected activities that reflect our shared mission and vision. The Scientific and Professional Liaison Council of SBM has supported and facilitated collaborative programmatic and other initiatives with AHA and its relevant Councils including the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. For additional information, please contact Laura L. Hayman PhD, RN, at laura.hayman@umb.edu or Lora Burke at lbu100@pitt.edu Information about AHA can be found at www.americanheart.org


Winter 2009	Return to Outlook Main page >>
Focus on SBM Scientific and Professional Liaisons Highlight: American Heart Association The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) currently have more similarities than differences in relation to core elements of their respective mission and goals. Some of the similarities include a focus on interdisciplinary research and training initiatives, a valuing of multi-level efforts designed to promote individual and population health, and an emphasis on partnering with other organizations in selected activities that are consistent with the mission and vision. With the body of evidence supporting the critically important role of behavior in promoting health and preventing adverse health conditions, the AHA has emphasized potentially modifiable behaviors as the cornerstone of cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention across the life course of individuals and diverse populations. Most recently, the AHA has also placed emphasis on psychosocial factors and potentially modifiable environments as important targets for promoting optimal health and preventing and reducing risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The AHA and SBM have been collaborating on a number of initiatives including scientific statements, advisories and programming that reflect these common areas of emphasis. Recognizing the individual and collective expertise of our Society, AHA has and continues to seek consultation and involvement of our members and our Society in selected activities that reflect our shared mission and vision. The Scientific and Professional Liaison Council of SBM has supported and facilitated collaborative programmatic and other initiatives with AHA and its relevant Councils including the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. For additional information, please contact Laura L. Hayman PhD, RN, at laura.hayman@umb.edu or Lora Burke at lbu100@pitt.edu Information about AHA can be found at www.americanheart.org