|
|
|
||||||||||
Annual Scientific Meeting9th Annual Scientific Meeting of the AAHB Nationally and Internationally Known Researchers Present The Most Recent Research Findings and Methodology on a Variety of Topics Adoption, Adherence, and Maintenance of Health Behavior Change Facilitating lasting, positive changes in health behavior involves addressing three fundamental processes: adoption or initiation of the change process, adherence to change strategies, and long-term maintenance of new behaviors. While “unhealthy” behaviors such as physical inactivity, poor diet, use of tobacco and other substances, and failure to use safety equipment are unacceptably prevalent, impressive gains over the last 30 years have been made in the science and practice of health behavior change. Evolving theory has moved us from strict reliance on individual-level approaches to public health approaches that consider multiple levels of influence. Technological advances have greatly increased the availability and acceptability of interventions, and progress in translational research has increased their reach. The 2009 Academy meeting will focus on state-of-the-art research on adoption, adherence, and maintenance of health behavior change. Sessions will target innovative intervention approaches, design and methods, translational issues, and future directions. Speaker Highlights Kate Lorig, John Jakicic, Colleen McBride "Innovative Intervention Approaches to Facilitate and Sustain Health Behavior Change" Marci Campbell, Steve Belle, Shari Dworkin Behavioral Change Interventions" Andrea Gielen, Tonja Nansel, Larry A. Green Translational Approaches" Marcia Ory, David Ahern, Ken Resnicow "Behavioral Change: Into the Future"
2009 AAHB Research Laureate: Pre-Conference Workshops
|
Meeting VenueThe Sea Pines Resort
32 Greenwood Drive Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 1-888-607-2966 A spectacular setting among Hilton Head Island hotels and retreats. North, south, east, west … everywhere you turn, enjoyment awaits you at The Sea Pines Resort. As an expansive, 5,000-acre retreat - representing nearly a third of the island - this world-class Hilton Head SC hotel resort offers the perfect springboard for experiencing this stunning natural playground, as a diverse community unto itself. Five miles of shimmering white beach. A pristine, 605-acre forest preserve. The hidden treasures of a quaint seaside town, where rustic wood signs point the way and carefree moods prevail. Here, you've found the perfect spot to relax and rejuvenate - with truly unlimied recreation. Visit the hotel website here, or go to the Hotel Information Page for more information about reservations. You may also call the hotel directly at 888-607-2966 Ext 2. Be sure to ask for the American Academy of Health Behavior's block. |
||||||||||
PRESIDENT'S CORNER President Molly Laflin, Ph.D.I am honored to serve as the 8th president of the American Academy of Health Behavior. It is a particular privilege to be the first woman president. I want to tell you briefly what my goals are for the coming year, but before I do that I’d like to take a few minutes to look back at our history as an organization. As our 8th national conference comes to a close, it is clear that we have become a significant force in the promotion of health behavior research and an ever growing number of health behavior scholars consider AAHB to be their “research home.” I was there at the birth of the Academy and I assure you, in 1997, our success was anything but certain. It was an exciting time. Bylaws were developed and scholars were invited to become members. The first Board meeting was held at the Sea Turtle Inn, Jacksonville, Florida. It was there that our commitment to fostering the development of the next generation of health behavior researchers was initiated. Chad Werch, Randy Black, E.D. Glover and I met in Morgantown, West Virginia to plan the Academy’s first scientific meeting, which was held at the Loretto in September of 2000. As a fledgling organization, we were challenging the status quo, looking toward to the future with optimism, and asking difficult questions. Our cause was ambitious and laudible, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that several of us were holding our breath and a few of us were praying for the success of our first conference. We hoped to recruit at least 50 people to our debut in Santa Fe and were rewarded with 115 attendees. After some self-reflection, a review of the timing of conferences held by other health organizations, and taking into consideration the penchant for fall hurricanes in the east, we decided to change our annual conferences to early spring. When we shifted to a spring conference schedule, some were worried that waiting a year and half until our next scientific meeting would result in a loss momentum and that we would not recover from the setback. We were naive and innocent in those early years, but our continued efforts to sponsor exemplary conferences produced outstanding results. One of our guiding principles has been to recognize and promote exemplary health behavior research by hosting annual scientific meetings in unique, picturesque settings that allow for information exchange and informal networking. We expanded on this approach at the 2004 meeting in Sedona, when we began offering optional conference workshops to support AAHB’s ongoing commitment to nurture young scholars. Providing workshops is now standard at our conferences. In 2005, the first Judy Black Early Career award was presented. In 2004, David Seal’s Professional Development Council began formally welcoming new conference attendees and helping them network with established researchers. Recently, Rita DeBate’s Mentoring Committee has developed a series of initiatives that increase our ability to foster the research careers of young scholars. Some of the Academy’s many achievement include:
In the coming year I will focus on financial planning and increased member participation. We are fortunate to have Scott Olds serving as our Treasurer and Randy Black as our Resource Development Chair. They have committed to the development of a financial plan that provides the rainy-day security we need with forward thinking investment and grant application strategies that allow us to more actively build our future. Involving more of the membership in the workings of the Academy has many benefits. Greater participation is a way to contribute meaningfully to the profession while at the same time building lasting relationships with fascinating scholars from all over the world. This approach will help to build a feeder system of service such that the leadership of the organization can be constantly renewed. Toward that end, I will be asking the council and committee chairs to develop plans to involve a greater number of our members in service to the goals of the Academy. AAHB’s mission is “to serve as the ‘research home’ for health behavior scholars whose primary commitment is to excellence in research and the application of research to practice.” In my mind, that makes us family. It’s my hope that we get to know each other better as we strive to make AAHB the productive, comfortable, engaging home we all want it to be. In summary, the past has certainly been a wild ride and I look forward to an exciting year ahead.  |
|||||||||||
