The 2015 Annual Meeting will feature the theme, “Advancing the National Prevention Strategy Through Behavioral Medicine Innovation.” As a conceptual guide for this meeting, we have adopted the National Prevention Strategy Framework put forth by the National Prevention Council. The framework identifies four strategic directions for improving population health with clear relevance to the scientific efforts of the multidisciplinary membership of SBM:
1) create and sustain healthy and safe community environments that promote health and prevent disease;
2) provide accessible and integrated clinical and community preventive services;
3) provide the necessary tools and resources to support communities of empowered people;
4) improve health and quality of life for all through elimination of health disparities. Areas of priority under these strategic directions, which align with the diverse interests and expertise of our membership and which will be addressed by invited speakers, include: tobacco-free living; preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use; healthy eating; active living; reproductive and sexual health; and mental emotional well-being.
San Antonio, with its rich history and cultural diversity provides the ideal home for the 2015 Annual Meeting. We urge you and your colleagues to attend the Annual Meeting and share your most compelling research. Please check the website regularly to receive program updates and information about submission procedures and deadlines, as well as things to see and do in San Antonio.