CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Stress and Health Disparities Working Group

[Announcement from SCRA-L]

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Stress and Health Disparities

The American Psychological Association, as part of its strategic initiative on health disparities, is soliciting nominations for a Working Group on stress and health disparities. The Association is especially interested in researchers, practitioners, and educators who are knowledgeable about stress-related factors that influence the health and well-being of individuals from health disparity population groups, particularly racial/ethnic minority, low income, disability, and LGBT communities.  Stress associated with health conditions such as obesity, substance use, depression and anxiety disorders, trauma, and violence is of interest.

Goals of the working group include: (1) summarize major findings on the role of stress in health disparities including information on the biopsychosocial mechanisms through which stress affects different health outcomes and information on potential moderators of these effects including biological, interpersonal and environmental factors; (2)  identify evidence-based/effective interventions that address  stress,   (3) identify strategies to effectively disseminate information on evidence-based programs/best practices on stress assessment, prevention, and treatment to psychologists, other health professionals, students, and consumers,  and (4) recommend actions needed to implement effective stress awareness, prevention, and treatment  programs and policies.

Working group members are required to attend one in-person meeting in Washington, DC, with meeting-related expenses reimbursed by APA. Members will primarily communicate via conference calls and email to accomplish the working group’s tasks.   It is anticipated that two years of service will be required for this work to be completed.

Candidates for the working group should be well-versed in the literature on stress in underserved and vulnerable populations.   Candidates are asked to submit (1) a letter indicating their willingness to serve and detailing their particular expertise on the issue, and (2) a current CV, no later than November 7, 2012.  Individuals from under-represented and/diverse populations are especially encouraged to apply.  Materials should be sent to Patty DiSandro via email, pedisandro@apa.org.