2026 Scientific Meeting - Call for Abstracts

"Centering Community in Health Behavior Research and Practice"

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 10, 2025
AUTHORS NOTIFIED: November 14, 2025

The 2026 conference theme, "Centering Community in Health Behavior Research and Practice," underscores the transformative power of lived experience in advancing social change and improving health outcomes. Evidence shows that when we engage with communities and center their experiences, not only are health behaviors positively impacted, but this approach strengthens public health planning, improves access to services, enhances health literacy, and contributes to a wide range of positive health outcomes. Across diverse populations, models of community engagement have demonstrated measurable success, offering promising pathways for inclusive and effective health strategies. By embracing this theme, our conference will explore innovative ways to mobilize community health for action and policy—recognizing the social, economic, and environmental forces that shape disparities, while also illuminating the shared experiences that connect us all.

There is only one call for abstracts this year;
there will not be a separate "late breaker" call for submissions.

General Guidelines for Abstracts

We particularly encourage submissions that are related to the meeting theme. Abstracts related to other health behavior topics are also welcome for submission. In addition to research-based abstracts, this year we invite abstracts describing novel research protocols for proposed or on-going health behavior research studies. All abstract submissions are limited to 300 words.

• Submission Guidelines for Research-Based Abstracts
• Submission Guidelines for Protocol Abstracts

Authorship

You may submit no more than 3 abstracts as presenting author. If you submit more than 3 abstracts as presenting author, you will be asked to select abstracts for withdrawal. Abstracts are limited to 15 co-authors. If your abstract is accepted for presentation, it is expected that you and/or a co-author will register for the conference and be present for your session. All presenters/abstract authors will be responsible for their conference-related expenses (e.g., meeting registration and hotel).

We welcome submissions from members and non-members. We encourage submissions from first-time attendees.

Presentation Format

All abstracts will be considered for poster presentation by default. During the submission process, you will be asked if you would like your abstract to be considered for a 5-minute "lightning" talk. A select number of abstract submissions that receive the highest reviewer ratings (based on quantitative scores and indication by reviewers that they would be a good fit for the format), will be selected. Your indication of interest in being considered for a lightning talk will not affect the overall likelihood of your abstract's acceptance.

No Show Policy

Cancellations for accepted abstract presentations must be communicated directly to the AAHB Research Review Chair. Cancellations must be made prior to the first day of the Meeting.

Questions?

Direct any questions about abstract submissions to Xuewei Chen, PhD, MCHES, 2026 Research Review Chair.

Download this call for abstracts as a PDF for distribution: HERE.

Resources

Watch Free Webinar: Demystifying AAHB Abstract and Process. HERE.

Download Webinar Slides: Demystifying AAHB Abstract and Process. HERE.