Advancing Behavioral Interventions Throughout the Life Course

Project Summary/Abstract This R13 conference grant will advance the field of behavioral medicine by providing a forum for cutting edge research relevant to the conduct of mechanism-driven behavioral interventions and by supporting a diverse group of promising early-stage investigators (ESIs). The mission of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research (ABMR), the organization conducting this conference, is to advance the field of behavioral medicine by creating and disseminating knowledge, cultivating discourse, and inspiring change that culminates in better health for all. The members of ABMR are distinguished MD and PhD scientists, elected by peers for outstanding contributions to behavioral medicine. This conference grant will enable ABMR to invite leaders from diverse fields to enhance the exchange of ideas across disciplines. The 2023 annual meeting will be organized around the theme “Advancing Behavioral Interventions Throughout the Life Course”. The underlying premise is that the field of behavioral medicine has lacked a systematic approach to developing interventions. As a result, few successful behavioral interventions have been integrated into practice. The goal of this conference will be to spotlight research that applies the experimental medicine approach to intervention development. In this manner, the conference program will disseminate the methods promoted by the NIH’s Science of Behavior Change initiative. The meeting will take place from June 8-11, 2023 at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta. This R13 grant will support the participation of 3 keynote speakers who integrate issues relevant to prioritizing behavioral interventions and innovating behavioral trial methodologies (Aim 1). The program will also include 5 symposia organized around themes such as digital health innovations, interventions targeting inequities in cardiometabolic health, and implementation science. The program will also feature 4 roundtable discussions that tackle pressing issues such as how best to prioritize the next big behavioral trial. NIH program officials will be integrated into conference activities. Interventions across the lifespan will be discussed. Consistent with the NIH’s Next Generation Initiative, ABMR aims to nurture the success of the next generation of behavioral medicine researchers. Consistent with this goal, this R13 grant will also fund the ABMR Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Program, established in 2021, and now delivered annually to promising ESIs with potential to become future leaders. Special attention will be paid to recruiting a diverse group of ESIs inclusive of under-represented minorities (Aim 2). In addition to providing funds for 10 ESIs to attend the meeting, this award will support a half-day pre-conference ESI leadership training, a career development workshop, and 1:1 networking with ABMR scientists via a mentorship program (Aim 3). In summary, this R13 will diffuse innovative approaches to conducting behavioral trials via leaders in the field and will promote the success of the next generation of diverse behavioral medicine researchers.