News Archive
ISBM Season's Greetings
To the Leaders and Members of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine National Societies
December 2022
Dear Colleagues
We wish you and all the members of your Society a happy holiday season and a prosperous, peaceful, and healthy New Year 2023!
Reflecting on 2022, it has been another year of international challenges, among which we can count:
- military conflicts leading to millions of people losing loved ones and abandoning their homes
- a worldwide economic crisis leading to rising inflation and increased poverty
- quickly progressing climate change that endangers the future of our world
- the continued aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic
These international topics are also impacting the future work of ISBM. It is the responsibility of our Society and its members to consider how we can contribute with our expertise in Behavioral Medicine to face and handle these challenges.
At our ISBM Hybrid Meeting in June 2022, members of the ISBM Board came together in Sweden to create and discuss an agenda of action points regarding the future of our Society. Finding ways to strengthen the international voice of our Society and of Behavioral Medicine, for example to become involved in policy-making processes, has been discussed as a central point. Our 17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine in August 2023 in Vancouver will be dedicated to a major world topic: "From Local to Global - Behavior, Climate and Health". We very much look forward to this highlight of 2023 and to coming together in person for a great scientific exchange on Behavioral Medicine, the first time since 2018!
Now that we near the end of 2022, we take the opportunity to thank all our national societies and their members for their contributions and efforts. Our international work in Behavioral Medicine could never succeed without your engagement. We unite in continuing our fruitful collaborations and meeting the challenges we face as researchers, clinicians, colleagues and family members, to strengthen Behavioral Medicine in 2023!
Very warm regards,
Anne H. Berman
ISBM President
Kerry Sherman
ISBM President Elect
Urs Nater
ISBM Past President
Beate Ditzen
ISBM Treasurer
Maria Kleinstauber
ISBM Secretary
ICBM 2023: Abstract Submission Deadline Extended!
Upon request from some of you, we are keeping the abstract submission portals open over the holidays. You will have until Wednesday, January 4, 11:59pm PST to still submit an oral, poster or workshop abstract. Symposium submission has been closed.
Track Categories and Guidelines can be found on the Congress Website.
Presenters will be notified in mid-March 2023 about the acceptance of their abstract.
All presenters are expected to attend and present in person. Only keynote and master lectures, as well as selected symposia, will be made available online.
Call for Applications - HBIC 2023 Travel Awards
Boost your research with an international mentor!
The Health & Behavioral International Collaborative (HBIC) Award is designed to facilitate collaborations with international lab or research group under the guidance of a mentor. The award is intended for graduate students, residents, professional students and early career professionals.
Learn more about the HBIC 2023 Award Competition at: https://www.ibtnetwork.org/home/training-initiatives/hbic-award-overview/
Application period begins November 30.
Apply by March 10.
Interested in mentoring bright, upcoming international talent?
The HBIC Award program is seeking new candidates for its mentor pool.
Mentorship collaborations are initiated by early career researchers who are responsible to identifying and proposing a project to prospective mentors. Research or program development projects must be in the areas of health research, clinical behavioral health, behavioral medicine, or health promotion, and must be feasible within one year.
Read the FAQ for HBIC Mentors at: https://www.ibtnetwork.org/home/training-initiatives/hbic-award-overview/hbic-award-program-mentor-faqs/
Interested? Submit your name to the mentor pool by December 23.
Early Career Awards - Call for Applications Now Open
ISBM will present up to ten Early Career Awards to encourage and support careers in behavioral medicine. Selection of the Early Career Award is based on total career achievement and review of an accepted abstract. Priority may be given to applications from countries with limited resources, and/or representatives from different geographical regions. To qualify for an award, the applicant has to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Should be no more than seven (7) years out from their highest degree and/or
- Have held a faculty or professional position for no more than seven (7) years.
- Must submit an abstract of empirical work.
- Must be the first or only author of the accepted abstract.
- Attendance and presentation at the congress is required.
The submission deadline is January 4, 2023 at 11:59pm PST. To learn more, visit the Congress Website.
ICBM 2023: Abstract Submission Deadline Extended!
Thanks to everyone who has already submitted an abstract for the Congress - we are delighted to see that so many of you are planning to present.
We are extending the overall submission deadline until December 12, 2022 (11:59PM PDT). Please note that all abstracts, including those that are being submitted for symposia have to be received by the Congress Secretariat by the above deadline. No further extension will be granted.
Track Categories and Guidelines can be found on the Congress Website.
Presenters will be notified in March 2023 about the acceptance of their abstract.
All presenters are expected to attend and present in person. Only keynote and master lectures, as well as selected symposia, will be made available online.
ICBM 2023 Master Lectures
We are excited to announce the master lecturers for ICBM 2023. A preliminary program is available on the Congress Website and we will be introducing each speaker and their presentation topic more over the next few months - stay tuned!
Call for Nominations for Open ISBM Board Positions
We have an upcoming ISBM election in 2023 and now is the time to solicit candidates for the open positions on the ISBM board. We need all you to support our efforts to ensure a continued strong ISBM leadership after the election, by encouraging members of your societies to consider this opportunity to engage with the strategic leadership work of the ISBM and by suggesting relevant candidates.
The positions we need to fill at the upcoming election are:
- ISBM President-Elect (length of term: 2 years)
- ISBM Education and Training Chair (length of term: 4 years)
- ISBM INSPIRE Chair (length of term: 4 years)
- ISBM International Collaborative Studies Committee Chair (length of term: 4 years)
- ISBM Organizational Liaison Committee Chair (length of term: 4 years)
I hereby urge you to name nominees for each open position. The deadline for nomination is April 17, 2023.
More information can be found here.
For questions or to discuss potential candidates, please reach out to Mette Terp Høybye, ISBM Nominations Committee Chair, at Mette.Terp.Hoybye@rm.dk.
ICBM 2023: Abstract Submission Deadline Approaching!
Call for Abstracts
The Scientific Program Committee invites you to submit abstracts for:
The deadline for all submissions is November 23, 2022.
Track Categories and Guidelines can be found on the Congress Website.
Keynote Speakers
We are excited to announce our keynote speakers for ICBM 2023. A preliminary program is available on the Congress Website and we will be introducing each speaker and their presentation topic more over the next few months - stay tuned!
Important Key Dates
Hong Kong Society of Behavioral Health Webinar: "Applications of Digital Platforms and Devices in Various Health Settings"
INSPIRE Webinar: "Implementation Science for Behavioral Researchers"
INSPIRE, the early career network of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine, is excited to announce their 2022 webinar!
The topic of the webinar is “Implementation Science for Behavioural Researchers”, and it will be presented by Professor Luke Wolfenden (Director of the National Centre of Implementation Science - NCOIS), on 27th October 2022. This webinar has been designed specifically for PhD & Early Career Researchers who develop & evaluate real-world health behaviour interventions, and provides an introduction to what implementation science is and how to apply it in your research. Please click here for more details.
Register ASAP as spots are limited – register at: https://ww3.unipark.de/uc/inspirewebinar_registration/
IJBM Call for Papers on "Social Isolation and Loneliness in Acute and Chronic Illness"
Letter of Intent Deadline: January 31, 2023
Social ties can facilitate overall wellbeing, recovery from acute illness, and self-management of chronic conditions. The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine (IJBM) announces a special call for papers focused on social isolation and loneliness in the context of acute (e.g., injury, surgical recovery) or chronic (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease, arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes) illness.
Behavioral Medicine research from all scientific areas and across the translational spectrum is welcome. In fact, research that bridges the intersections of behavioral medicine and other areas of research (e.g., neuroscience, medical practice, nursing, public health, education, health psychology, environmental science) are likely to make a strong contribution.
Areas of work might include:
- Empirical papers describing the application of existing theoretical frameworks to the context of social isolation or loneliness in different illnesses.
- Processes by which loneliness and social isolation lead to positive or negative impacts on health, wellbeing, illness, or recovery.
- Papers reporting the results of trials evaluating efficacy of interventions to mitigate the impact of social isolation or loneliness.
- Research on social aspects of caring for a person with acute or chronic illness (i.e., family care partners, young adult care partners, medical professionals).
- Studies of the mechanisms, processes, and trajectories involved in loneliness and social isolation that inform intervention development.
- Investigations observing or harnessing social media to improve health outcomes or prevent illness.
- Manuscripts reporting on the basic individual, social, and biobehavioral processes by which loneliness and isolation have positive or negative impacts across the lifespan.
- Reports on cognitive, neuroendocrine, immune, or other biobehavioral concomitants of loneliness and social isolation.
IJBM accepts papers reporting on original empirical research including applied and clinical trial research, qualitative reports, experimental studies, and observational research; systematic reviews and meta-analytic studies; and brief reports. Submissions that integrate the existing science, present a strong conceptual grounding in behavioral medicine, or point the field to opportunities for future progress are desired.
More information about the editorial process and requirements for Letters of Intent (LOIs) can be found here.
IJBM is the official scientific journal of the International Society for Behavioral Medicine and seeks to present the best theoretically-driven, evidence-based work in the field of behavioral medicine from around the globe. IJBM publishes excellent research across the broad spectrum of behavioral medicine, including health-behavior relationships, the prevention of illness and the promotion of health, the effects of illness on the self and others, the effectiveness of novel interventions, identification of biobehavioral mechanisms, and the influence of social factors on health.
IJBM Call for Papers on "Advancing the Science of Behavioral Medicine: Meta-Analyses and Foundational Reviews"
Letter of Intent Deadline: December 1, 2022 (rolling)
The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine (IJBM) approaches its 30-year anniversary. In commemoration of this momentous milestone, IJBM is organizing a special issue focused on systematic, scoping, and integrative literature reviews and meta-analyses that synthesize the state of the science in foundational areas of behavioral medicine. Submissions that integrate the existing science and point the field to opportunities for future progress are desired.
All scientific areas within the field of behavioral medicine are welcome. Meta-analyses and literature reviews of behavioral medicine research across the translational spectrum will be considered. Further, research that bridges the intersections of behavioral medicine and other areas of research (e.g., neuroscience, medical practice, nursing, public health, education, health psychology, environmental science) are likely to make strong contributions. Areas of work might include:
- Behavioral Interventions
- Adaptation to Chronic Illness and Symptom Management
- Chronic Pain
- Translational Sleep Science
- Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Health and Illness
- Health Behavior Change
- Health Disparities and the Health of Underrepresented Populations
- Technology-based Behavioral Medicine
- Social Processes and Health
- Resilience and Positive Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine and Theory
This special issue provides a unique opportunity to simultaneously pause to organize accumulated knowledge and to provide the groundwork for the next generation of research in our field, including work that will achieve large steps forward for the discipline and its global impact. Thus, all submissions will be meta-analyses or reviews. Meta-analyses are a family of methods which allow for the aggregation and quantitative synthesis of a body of prior empirical findings. Literature reviews aim to synthesize an accumulated body of knowledge to inform new research efforts. Such reviews consolidate and synthesize existing literature through a transparent and replicable method.
More information about the editorial process and requirements for Letters of Intent (LOIs) can be found here.
IJBM is the official scientific journal of the International Society for Behavioral Medicine and seeks to present the best theoretically-driven, evidence-based work in the field of behavioral medicine from around the globe.
ICBM 2023: Call for Abstracts
The call for abstracts for the 17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine is now open. The scientific program committee is looking forward to receiving abstracts for oral and poster presentations, pre-congress workshops, as well as symposia (to open in late September).
The categories for abstract submissions are as follows:
SPHERE 1 - HEALTH PROCESSES
1. LIFE COURSE ISSUES
1a. Aging, health and age-related diseases
1b. Child, adolescent and family health
1c. Occupational health
2. PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
2a. Prevention
2b. Systems and network approaches to improve health
2c. Behavior change and interventions
3. EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
3a. Education and training in behavioral medicine
3b. Health education, promotion, communication, and decision-making
3c. Health systems, policy, advocacy, dissemination and implementation
4. HEALTH EQUITY
4a. Inequalities
4b. Involving patients, public, policy and practice
4c. Other
5. BEHAVIOR, CLIMATE AND HEALTH
SPHERE 2 - ILLNESS PROCESSES
6. MECHANISMS
6a. Biological mechanisms
6b. Nocebo and placebo
7. NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND SYNDROMES
7a. Cardiovascular and pulmonary health and disorders, and critical care medicine
7b. Diabetes
7c. Chronic and persistent symptoms
8. CANCER PREVENTION AND CONTROL
9. ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
10. INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Please visit the Congress website for more information and the link to the submission portals.
Invitation to ICBM 2023
It is our great pleasure to invite you to the next Congress of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM). The Congress will take place August 23-26, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver’s famous modern cityscape is located on the Strait of Georgia, where the mountains touch the ocean. Vancouver is well-known for its diverse population, its hospitality and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
The congress theme is “From Local to Global: Behavior, Climate and Health” and was inspired by the very location where the Congress is being held. Where better to discuss our future challenges and the role of behavioral medicine to address them, than in this international city?
We are planning an exciting four days of keynotes, master lectures, workshops, and symposia around our congress theme. In addition to our intellectually stimulating program, there will be plenty of time to meet friends and colleagues for connecting and socializing. And the Congress wouldn’t be complete without our traditional festive banquet, where we all celebrate ISBM’s accomplishments and visions together. The Congress officially opens on the evening of Wednesday, August 23, after a full day of workshops, and ends with the Closing Ceremony in the late afternoon of August 26, where we honour our outgoing President, Anne H, Berman, Ph.D., and welcome our incoming President, Kerry Sherman, Ph.D.
Stay tuned for more details in the upcoming months.
Michael A. Diefenbach, Ph.D.
Scientific Program Chair
Ryan E. Rhodes, Ph.D.
Local Committee Chair
Anne H. Berman, Ph.D.
President, ISBM
ISBM Symposium on Behavioral Medicine: Recordings Now Available
Thank you to all who participated in the June 17th Symposium on Behavioral Medicine, hosted by the Swedish Behavioral Medicine Society, the Nordic Network for Behavioral Medicine, and the Department of Psychology at Uppsala University.
You will all find the recordings of all talks at https://tinyurl.com/June17rec.
The recordings are available free of charge and for an unlimited period. Also, please note that we have not edited the recordings so there can be a short delay at the beginning of the talk before the start. Usually this is no longer than a minute.
Questions or concerns? Contact ISBM President Anne Berman, PhD, at anne.h.berman@psyk.uu.se.
ISBM Symposium on Behavioral Medicine
On behalf of ISBM, the Swedish Behavioral Medicine Society, the Nordic Network for Behavioral Medicine, and the Department of Psychology at Uppsala University, we would like to invite you to join us for a Symposium on Behavioral Medicine.
The symposium will take place on Friday, June 17th, 10-16 CEST (Stockholm/Vienna time). You are most welcome in person or via Zoom.
Please register (no cost) ahead of time at: https://tinyurl.com/
Call for Applications: 2022 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award
Applications are now open for the 2022 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award! This year, there are six awards, sponsored by the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM), the International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN), the Society for Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association (SfHP), the American Psychosomatic Society (APS), the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM), and the German Society of Behavioral Medicine (DGVM).
The purpose of the award is to facilitate a collaboration between an early career researcher/professional and an international laboratory or research group under the guidance of an identified international mentor. In 2022, winners will receive $1,000 USD to offset costs of collaborative activities. Applicants can be trainees or early career researchers or professionals within 5 years of completing their terminal degree (career disruptions excluded). Please note that the format of this award has been modified in 2022 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and international travel will not be permitted as part of the award activities.
Applications are due May 2, 2022. Applicants will be notified via email by the Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award Committee regarding the outcome of their applications in June 2022.
For more information about the award and instructions for applying, please visit the HBIC website: https://www.
Enquiries can be directed to H.B.InternationalAward@
ISBM Special Interest Group (SIG) Program
ISBM, as an interdisciplinary organization that aims to serve the needs of all health-related disciplines concerned with the integration of psychosocial, behavioral, and biomedical sciences, wants to create forums for open and frequent communication among professionals who share similar interests in behavioral medicine. For this purpose, ISBM wants to establish a Special Interest Group (SIG) program.
ISBM SIGs will provide many advantages for the members of all ISBM national societies. We want to provide a forum for ISBM members, independent of the stage of their career, to collaborate, and to initiate activities to promote their interest in the field of behavioral medicine. SIGs will give room to encourage diverse activities - from organizing workshops/webinars, creating and giving awards, applying collaboratively for grants, or organizing special issues, just to give some examples. Any professional theme in the field of behavioral medicine can be proposed to become a focus of a SIG. One specific endeavor of our SIG program shall attract early career researchers and clinicians whom we want to give space to practice leadership skills, to learn from their senior colleagues, and to take over responsibilities and get actively involved in our Society.
We are searching for ISBM members who are very passionate about a certain topic in the field of behavioral medicine and who would be interested in taking action on promoting their topic and becoming involved as an organizer of a SIG on their topic. Our ISBM SIG Committee provides some ideas and procedures that will be helpful for the process of forming a SIG. You can find these resources here.
Dr. Maria Kleinstaeuber (ISBM Secretary, maria.kleinstaeuber@usu.edu) has already proposed a SIG on Somatic Symptom Disorders and is searching for more ISBM members to join. Please, contact her if you would be interested in becoming involved in a SIG in her field of research.
If you should be interested in becoming a group-in-formation organizer, please, get in contact with our ISBM SIG committee (contact: Maria Kleinstaeuber, maria.kleinstaeuber@usu.edu) and discuss your ideas with us.
Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research Virtual Conference: October 8th-11th 2021
Behavioral Medicine meets Aging and Geroscience Research—now a virtual conference!
All ISBM members (especially students!) are invited to this event. The Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research (ABMR) is hosting an exciting conference on malleable factors that shape the human healthspan, including the role of social stressors such as trauma, racism, and climate change, mechanisms of biological aging such as exposome, vagal tone, epigenetic clocks, telomeres, and mitochondria, and interventions such as exercise, hyperthermia, and mindfulness. Terrie Moffitt will discuss childhood influences on rate of biological aging, Kristine Yaffe will discuss brain aging, Richard Davidson will lead an experiential keynote on meditation, and we will have dialogues with Robin Carhart Harris, on psychedelic therapy and health, and science journalist James Nestor, author of bestseller Breath. We end with a talk on how to make our research have a higher public health impact—“Strategic research” (with Kelly Brownell).
These discussions will take place on Zoom from October 8th - 11th, with opportunities to participate through zoom Q&A sessions. Check our
detailed schedule (and link to Eventbrite registration) at: https://
Call for Nominations - ISBM 2021 Awards
The International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM) is pleased to announce a call for nominations for Scientific and Service Awards. Awards will be presented at the ICBM 2021 Congress https://www.delegate-reg.co.uk/icbm2021/
Eligibility criteria
Scientific awards. These awards recognize scientific merits and academic accomplishment relative to the stage of a scientific career. Within each stage individuals can be recognized for their scientific merits. Awards in this category are: Lifetime Achievement Award, Distinguished Scientist Award, and Outstanding New Investigator Award.
Service awards. These awards recognize excellence in achievements and contributions to the development of the field of behavioral medicine. There are separate awards for contributions at national or regional level, and contributions with regard to international collaboration. Awards in this category are: Distinguished Career Contribution Award, and Contributions to International Collaborations Award.
For more information, click here.
2021 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award
We are pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2021 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award! This year, there are six awards, sponsored by the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM), the International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN), the Society for Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association (SfHP), the American Psychosomatic Society (APS), the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM), and the German Society of Behavioral Medicine (DGVM).
The purpose of the award is to facilitate a collaboration between an early career researcher/professional and an international laboratory or research group under the guidance of an identified international mentor. In 2021, winners will receive $1,000 USD to offset costs of collaborative activities. Applicants can be trainees or early career researchers or professionals within 5 years of completing their terminal degree (career disruptions excluded). Please note that the format of this award has been modified in 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and international travel will not be permitted as part of the award activities.
Applications are due May 2, 2021. Applicants will be notified via email by the Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award Committee regarding the outcome of their applications in June 2021.
For more information about the award and instructions for applying, please visit the HBIC website: https://www.ibtnetwork.org/home/training-initiatives/hbic-award-overview/
Enquiries can be directed to H.B.InternationalAward@gmail.com.
ICBM 2021 Virtual Congress
In the wake of the World Health Organisation's decision to declare COVID-19 a global pandemic, ISBM, in close consultation with the Local Organising Committee and the Scientific Program Committee, made the decision to postpone the 16th International Congress of Behavioural Medicine planned for the 19th - 22nd August 2020 to the 7th – 11th June 2021 and the Congress will be run completely online. For more information, click here.
Kristina Orth-Gomér, MD. PhD.
Professor of Karolinska Institute Stockholm,
Sweden
It is with great sadness that we are notifying the ISBM community of the passing of Prof. Kristina Orth-Gomér on 14 May 2020. She leaves behind two children, three grandchildren and a life companion who greatly miss her.
Prof Orth-Gomér was the co-founder, second President and long-standing member of the ISBM Board. Since 1987, Prof Orth-Gomér participated at the ISBM founding (Steering/Advisory) committee together with Steve Weiss, Neil Schneiderman, Redford Williams, Irmela Florin and others. She was Program Chair and organized the first ISBM conference 1990 in Uppsala/Sweden. Afterwards, Prof Orth-Gomér became the ISBM president and has remained actively involved with ISBM for the last 30 years. In 2003 she founded the behavioral branch of the third "Task Force for European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in the Clinical Practice", together with experts from the US, Spain, Finland, Sweden and Germany. In collaboration with Neil Schneiderman and Redford Williams, she initiated the integration of the German College of Psychosomatic Medicine as a full member society of ISBM.
Prof Orth-Gomér’s extensive research focused on coronary heart disease concerning the understanding of behavioral mechanisms, treatment possibilities and health issues in women leaves a lasting contribution for which she will be remembered. Prof Orth-Gomér’s outstanding work in behavioural medicine was recognised by ISBM as the recipient of the "Behavioral Medicine Award" in 2004.
INSPIRE Webinar: "Behavioral Principles to Design and Deliver Effective Health Interventions. What Works?"
The INSPIRE network is pleased to invite you to attend a free 1 hour zoom webinar, "Behavioral principles to design and deliver effective health interventions. What Works?" delivered by Dr Ben Britton, PhD, Senior Clinical & Health Psychologist, Clinical Research Fellow (John Hunter Hospital & What Works in Health).
This webinar has specifically been designed for PhD Students and Early Career Researchers who have a role in designing, implementing and evaluating behavioral health interventions, and will provide an introduction to:
- The reasons many behavior change interventions aren’t successful
- Key principles underlying behavior change within individuals and organizations
- How to incorporate these principles in health interventions
- And how to design for sustainable behavior change
Two sessions will be run to cater for an international audience.
- Tuesday 9 Feb 2021 – 1pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time - AEDT)
- Tuesday 9 Feb 2021 – 9am (Greenwich Mean Time – GMT)
Register here: https://ww3.unipark.de/uc/inspirewebinar_registration/
For more information on the speaker and webinar, please click here. Participation is limited to the first 100 registrations.
Not an INSPIRE member yet?
INSPIRE aims to facilitate the development and promotion of research opportunities and mentoring for students and early career researchers in behavioral medicine. To join the network and receive news on activities of INSPIRE, please follow this link: https://www.isbm.info/isbm-committees/inspire/join/
We look forward to seeing you at the webinar,
The INSPIRE Committee
ISBM 2021 Award Nominations Now Open
The International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM) is most pleased to announce that nominations for the ISBM Awards 2020 are now open.
Recipients will be awarded during the Opening Ceremony of the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
The available awards are:
Scientific Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Distinguished Scientist Award
Outstanding New Investigator Award
Early Career Award
Service Awards
Distinguished Career Contribution Award
Contributions to International Collaborations Award
Please click here for award details and nomination process.
Call for Abstracts - Society of Behavioural Medicine Virtual 2021 Annual Meeting
The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) welcomed 2021 Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions abstract submissions from members and non-members alike, for consideration as pre-conference courses, symposia, panel discussions, debates, research talks and research spotlights.
SBM offers more than 30 topic areas, including cancer, diabetes, pain, physical activity, obesity, and digital health. SBM’s meeting is the only truly multidisciplinary behavioral medicine conference. This helps presenters have more impact, and it helps attendees understand the complex interplay among health conditions.
Our virtual conference means more attendees than ever before can participate in the largest yearly behavioral medicine gathering in the world! With live and on-demand recorded sessions, your science can have maximum reach and impact. Please submit your best science and encourage your colleagues far and wide to do the same! For more details on the virtual conference and our decision to go virtual, check out our Virtual Conference FAQs. The Program Committee is working on creating innovative and interactive sessions for the virtual meeting. You'll see that sessions have been shortened to allow for regular breaks, but will still include time for Q&A and other interaction.
The abstract deadline was September 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Start early! Continuing education requirements mean most abstract submitters (with the exception of research talks and research spotlights) must gather financial disclosure and other information from ALL presenters and co-authors.
Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award
We are pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2019 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award! This year, the award is sponsored by the Society for Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association (SfHP), the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM), the American Psychosomatic Society (APS), the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM), and the International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN).
The purpose of the award is to facilitate a minimum of one week visit to an international laboratory or research group under the guidance of an identified international mentor. The proposed visit will be based on aims to pursue a specific research project or a specific program development project in the areas of health research, clinical behavioral health, or health promotion.
The applicant will receive $3,000 USD to offset costs of travel and accommodations to visit the lab of an international mentor. Five awards will be competitively granted this year. Applicants can be trainees or early career researchers or professionals within 5 years of completing their terminal degree (career disruptions excluded).
Applications closed on May 1, 2019. Applicants will be notified via email by the Health and
Behavior International Collaborative Award Committee regarding the outcome of their applications in early June 2019. For more information about the award and instructions for applying, please visit the HBIC website: https://www.ibtnetwork.org/home/training-initiatives/hbic-award-overview/
Inquiries can be directed to H.B.InternationalAward@gmail.com.
The Annual Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society will take place in Long Beach, California, USA on March 11-14, 2020. Abstract deadline were extended until 18th of October. For more information, click here.
Special Call for Papers
The International Journal of Behavioural Medicine (IJBM), the official journal of the ISBM, issued a call for papers for a special issue on:
''Digital Health Interventions in Chronic Medical Conditions''.
First submissions were due March 1, 2020.
Click here for more information.
ISBM 2018 Award Recipients
The International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM) is most pleased to announce the recipients of the ISBM Awards 2018.
Recipients were officially recognized during the Opening Ceremony of the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, 14th November 2018, Santiago, Chile.
Life Time Achievement Award
Jorge Amadeo Grau Abalo, PhD
Eliana Guic Sesnic, MSc. PhD
Omer van den Bergh, Phd
Distinguished Scientist Award
Michael H. Antoni, PhD
Annette L. Stanton, PhD
Outstanding New Investigator Award
Ricarda Nater-Mewes, PhD
Distinguished Career Contribution Award
Anne H. Berman, PhD
Kerry Sherman, PhD
International Collaborations Award
Joost Dekker, PhD
Joseph Tak Fai Lau, PhD
For more information, click here.
Contribution to International Collaboration Award Recipients
Congratulations to our Contribution to International Collaboration award recipients. This year, we had four recipients:
Freddie Rivera, who will use the award to help provide training to health personnel in Puerto Rican schools to help identify trauma-related symptoms in students and assist in referring them to appropriate evidence-based mental health services.
Joshua Wiley (PhD), who will travel to Arizona USA to work with Prof Weihs on adapting an emotion regulation in cancer intervention for online and remote delivery.
Jessica Latak (PhD) will be traveling to the lab of Dr Susan Ayers to qualitatively examine women’s psychological adaptation to pregnancy, and investigate associations with postnatal mental health.
Dabiana Brito Silva (PhD, MS, BSN) will be visiting A/Prof Fabio Benedetti to adapt and evaluate intervention materials from a lifestyle modification program delivered in community settings.
Call for 2018 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award Applications
Applications are due soon: May 1, 2018. Applicants will be notified via email by Health and Behavior International Collaborative Committee by June 1, 2018, regarding the outcome of their applications. For more information about the award and instructions for applying, please see the attached application or contact H.B.InternationalAward@gmail.com.
Note: A representative of the HBIC Award will be available to answer questions about the current or anticipated HBIC award during the 2018 meetings of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and American Psychosomatic Society. Please let us know at least two weeks in advance so we can make arrangements by emailing H.B.InternationalAward@gmail.com.
For more information, click here.
2019 Round of the Endeavour Leadership Program
The Endeavour Leadership Program 2019 rounds are now open. This program replaces the Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships program and the Endeavour Mobility Grants program. This program offers a range of mobility opportunities to both individuals and institutions to increase two-way education, training, and research mobility between Australia and partner countries. The program also provides opportunities for short-term professional development activities.
Applications are due by the 15th of November.
For more information, please click here to access the official website. To access the program guidelines, please click here.
ISBM Awards 2016
The International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM) is most pleased to announce the recipients of the ISBM Awards 2016.
Recipients were officially recognized during the Opening Ceremony of the International Conference of Behavioral Medicine, 7th
December 2016, Melbourne, Australia.
Warm congratulations to all recipients!
Please find here a list of all recipients.
ICBM 2018 in Chile
The ICBM 2018 took place in Chile from November 14th to November 17th, 2018.
View the final program here.
You can watch a video providing a behind-the-scenes look into ICBM 2018 here: https://vimeo.com/249095893
Announcing the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health
ISBM is a member of the Global Coalition of international, regional, and national stakeholders in cardiovascular disease brought together by the World Heart Federation as an outcome of the 2nd Global Summit on Circulatory Health which took place in Singapore in July, 2017. The aim is to drive the urgent action needed to combat heart disease and stroke in preparation for the third United Nations high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases in 2018.
For more information, click here.
For the Lancet article on the Global Coalition, click here.
Call for Papers
The International Journal of Behavioural Medicine (IJBM), the official journal of the ISBM, is issuing a call for papers for a special issue on:
''Salivary Bioscience in Behavioral Medicine''.
Letters of Intent are due by November 15, 2018.
If you are interested, please find the call for papers here.
2018 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award Applications Now Open
Four competitive awards for trainees or early career professionals are available to facilitate a visit to an international lab/research group or for someone from an international lab to visit you. Recipients will receive $3000 USD to offset costs of travel and accommodations.
Click here and see the INSPIRE page for more information.
Call for bids to host ICBM 2022
ISBM is now approaching all member societies about the possibility to host the ICBM 2022. All our previous congresses have been successful both scientifically and financially.
If your society considers applying for the organization of the ICBM in 2022, please submit a preliminary proposal by August 31st 2018.
Please find here all relevant information.
The Society for Behavioral Medicine in the USA has signed on to the Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award initiative for 2018
We are pleased to announce that a fourth behavioral medicine organization has joined the Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award initiative for 2018! The International Society of Behavioral Medicine now partners with the Society for Health Psychology, the American Psychosomatic Society, and the Society for Behavioral Medicine in the USA in offering four annual awards to trainee and early career (within 5 years of terminal degree) behavioral medicine researchers and clinicians.
The purpose of the award is to facilitate a visit to the laboratory of an international mentor to pursue a specific research or program development project in the areas of health research, clinical behavioral health, or health promotion. Individuals who are a member of ANY member society of ISBM may apply for the ISBM-sponsored award. For more information, please see the call for applications.
Judith Sluiter has passed away
Judith passed away last week, May 14th, after a period of sickness. Judith was Professor in medical selection and guidance of employees at the Academic Medical Center - University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She was director of the Amsterdam Public Health research institute and in September 2017 she was appointed head of the Coronel Institute of Occupational Health.
Judith worked until her last hours, as was her wish. She will be thoroughly missed for her influential and important work and her personality. She had a great sense of humor, and had this lovely combination of being very caring, positive, and sweet combined with always asking critical questions. She also had an eye for what drives people and what they need. She was especially involved in occupational health and was also a valuable member of ISBM where she participated regularly at the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine.
We will miss her greatly.
We wish everyone strength during this difficult time.
Contributed by: Prof. Dr. Monique HW Frings-Dresen and Prof. Hege R Eriksen
World Health Federation 2nd Global Summit on Circulatory Health
The 2nd Global Summit on Circulatory Health was held by the World Health Federation in Singapore on the 12th-13th July 2017. Over 100 leaders of global, regional, and national organisations convened to discuss how to create the case for urgent action in the fight against circulatory diseases.
Click here to read a complete summary of the Global Summit.
HPV Policy Statement
ISBM calls for increased HPV vaccination rates to prevent cancer.
An ISBM work group consisting of Mary Gerend (USA), Joost Dekker (The Netherlands) and Frank Penedo (USA) reviewed the SBM Position Statement on HPV Vaccination and fully endorsed the call to increase HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents in the US. A larger workgroup of representatives from ISBM Member Societies are now working on an international position statement for HPV Vaccination.
Please find here the full position statement and a corresponding infographic.
American Psychosomatic Society has signed on to the Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award initiative for 2017
We are pleased to announce that a third behavioral medicine organization has joined the Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award initiative for 2017! The International Society of Behavioral Medicine now partners with both the Society for Health Psychology and the American Psychosomatic Society in offering three annual awards to trainee and early career (within 5 years of terminal degree) behavioral medicine researchers and clinicians.
The purpose of the award is to facilitate a visit to the laboratory of an international mentor to pursue a specific research or program development project in the areas of health research, clinical behavioral health, or health promotion. Individuals who are a member of ANY member society of ISBM may apply for the ISBM-sponsored award. For more information, please see the call for applications.
Holger Ursin has passed away
Professor Holger Ursin, founder and past president of the Norwegian Society of Behavioural Medicine, and for many years member of the ISBM Board, passed away on 13th of August, 2016. The ISBM would like to express a sincere condolence to his passing away on behalf of the whole international behavioral medicine community.
Call for Papers
The International Journal of Behavioural Medicine (IJBM), the official journal of the ISBM, issues a call for papers for a special issue on
''Women’s reproductive health in sociocultural context''.
The submission deadline has been extended until 30 September, 2016
If you are interested, please find the call for papers here.
Call for Nominees for open ISBM positions
Several offices in the Board will be open for election in 2016.
Please find here all relevant information.
Call for expressions of interest
The International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM) seeks expressions of interest in the position of Editor-in-Chief of IJBM. Responses are welcomed from individuals, or jointly from pairs of prospective editors who plan to share the role.
Please find here all relevant information.
Call for applications: Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award
ISBM is pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2016 Health and Behavior International Collaborative Award!
This award is jointly sponsored by the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM) and the Society for Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association. The purpose of the award is to facilitate a minimum of one week visit to an international laboratory or research group under the guidance of an identified international mentor. The applicant will receive $3,000 USD to offset costs of travel and accommodations to visit the lab of an international mentor.
Two awards will be competitively granted each year. Applicants can be trainees or early career professionals within 5 years of completing their terminal degree.
Applications are due March 30th, 2016.
Detailed information can be found here.
Interdisciplinary symposium on pro-environmental behavior
The Swedish Association of Behavioural Medicine organizes an interdisciplinary and international symposium in Alnarp, Sweden.
The theme of the symposium is pro-environmental behaviour and the relation to climate change and public health. Several world leading scientists as speakers will provide state-of-the art insights into the topic.
Please find here a flyer with all information.
Call for proposals to host ICBM 2020
ISBM is now approaching all member societies about the possibility to host the ICBM 2020. All our previous congresses have been successful both scientifically and financially.
If your society considers applying for the organization of the ICBM in 2020, please submit a preliminary proposal by May 31st 2016.
Please find here all relevant information.
ISBM 2016 Awards - Call for nominations
ISBM is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the following awards, to be presented at the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Melbourne, December 2016.
Scientific awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Distinguished Scientist Award
- Outstanding New Investigator Award
Service awards
- Distinguished Career Contribution Award
- Contributions to International Collaborations Award
Detailed information on the awards as well as on the nomination procedure can be found here:
From old to new: The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine successfully launched its new, modernized cover design.
In memoriam: Jane Wardle
Our colleague and valuable supporter of ICBM since its inception, Professor Jane Wardle, died on 20th October 2015. She was Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre at University College London. She was a pioneer of health psychology, and a leading light in two separate fields: eating and obesity; and cancer screening and prevention. Jane published over 600 peer-reviewed papers and had an h-index of 84, but the quality and depth of her work is more important than any metrics.
Her many roles included:
· Founding editor of the British Journal of Health Psychology
· Chair of the Division of Health Psychology of the British Psychological Society in 2000–2001.
· Fellow of the British Academy
· Member of Editorial Board, International Journal of Behavioral Medicine since 1993.
· Active participant as presenter, symposium convenor, Track Chair or Co-Chair, and organiser at almost every International Congress of Behavioral Medicine held.
Jane was very generous with her time, and was an inspiration and mentor to many students and early-career researchers.
Call for manuscripts
The Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (JREHD), an official journal of the Cobb-NMA Health Institute, issues a call for manuscripts that reflect the scholarly work to understand, intervene, address, and ultimately eliminate health disparities based upon race and ethnicity. If you are interested, please visit http://www.springer.com/medicine/journal/40615.
Melbourne is approved as the venue of ICBM 2016
The Governing Council had a vote and has approved Melbourne, Australia, as the venue of the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine (ICBM) in 2016.
Memorandum of understanding of scientific collaboration in the field of occupational safety and health for behavioral medicine (August 29, 2012)
The ISBM has established a collaboration with the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) (http://www.icohweb.org/), a large international professional organization with more than 1,700 members from 78 countries, which could lead to a greater contribution of behavioral medicine in occupational health.
Graciela Rodriguez († 2012)
Dr. Graciela Rodriguez, a member of Mexican Society of Behavioral Medicine and also a past member of ISBM Board, suddenly passed away on July 5th, 2012 (Thursday). The ISBM would like to express a sincere condolence to her passing away, with deep appreciation to her contribution to the Society.
Maria Kopp (1942 - 2012)
Maria passed away all of a sudden, in her sleep, unexpectedly – as if she had had no time to hesitate about the issue of death, the natural part of life. She had been characterised by an amazingly abundant energy until the very last day of her life. There is such vast emptiness due to her departure that those who are left behind can hardly grasp. Two months ago we celebrated her 70th birthday anniversary in the frame of a scientific day organised in her honour at the Semmelweis University. Age had no importance in her case, she lived and talked with the vigour of a young scientist at the beginning of her career. She was ageless and indestructible – yet destiny had a final say.
Please download here the obituary and her interview in the ISBM-Newsletter .
New Editor-in-Chief of IJBM in 2012-2017
Our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Christina Lee, is handling new manuscripts since May 1st, 2011. She has taken over all duties as Editor on January 1st, 2012.