The function of the ISBM is to conduct activities that stimulate research and practice and coordinate communication and interaction within the worldwide behavioral medicine
community.
One important way to disseminate the concepts and findings of behavioral Medicine throughout the world is through the international congresses sponsored by the ISBM.
A second important way to disseminate the concepts and findings of behavioral medicine throughout the world is through a major scientific journal. The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine (IJBM) published by Springer Science+Business Media S.A., is the official journal of the ISBM. Its first issue was in January, 1994. The journal is devoted to furthering an understanding of scientific relations between sociocultural, psychosocial and behavioral principles on the one hand and biological processes, physical health and illness on the other.
The ISBM regularly distributes a newsletter. The current newsletter editor is Susanne Fischer.
All Newsletters are available online and can be found in our Newsletter Archive.
ISBM hosts special interest groups:
Womens Health Issues
INSUHC
Diabetes Collaboration
INSPIRE
Another important way to disseminate the concepts and findings throughout the world is through teaching seminars. Thus, for example, the ISBM in conjunction with the World Health Organization and Karolinska Institute conducted a four-day interdisciplinary educational seminar in Stockholm, Sweden, on "Behavioral Medicine Approaches to Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease." Other seminars have been held in: Caracas, Venezuela; Bangkok, Thailand; and Vindeln, Sweden. Another important activity of the ISBM has involved liaison with other professional organizations. Thus, for example, the ISBM has sponsored symposia and/or programs at the European Society of Cardiology and the International Conference on Preventive Cardiology. Other important activities of the ISBM include education and training through the preparation of curricula and the facilitation of international collaborative research studies.