On January 17, 2019, the National Academy of Medicine and the U.K. Academy of Medical Sciences co-hosted the 2019 Richard & Hinda Rosenthal Symposium, titled ‘Behavior change to improve health for all.’ The event took place at the Wellcome Collection in London.
During three sessions, the Symposium focused on how cutting edge science in neurobiology and expanding knowledge about the factors influencing decision making involving the overconsumption of food and alcohol, obesity, and tobacco and drug use can lead to more effective interventions and policies to improve health and health equity across diverse populations. Specifically, through keynote presentations and panel sessions, the Symposium explored:
• The neurobiology of behavior and decision making, and how developing knowledge could translate into more effective interventions.
• Lessons learned from examples of successful interventions that have targeted the physical, social, and/or behavioral environments to alter behavioral patterns and reduce health inequities.
• The potential roles for emerging technologies and complex system approaches to encourage healthy decision-making and improve the health of populations.
A further aim of the symposium was to foster and strengthen scientific partnerships between the UK and US, enabled by the meeting and a networking reception. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Dr Rachel Brown, Senior Policy Officer at the Academy of Medical Sciences (Rachel.brown@acmedsci.ac.uk). The National Academy of Medicine and the UK Academy of Medical Sciences are most grateful to The Hinda and Richard Rosenthal Foundation for its continued support of this symposium, and to the steering committee who have guided its aims and agenda:
• Dr Alan I. Leshner (Co-Chair), CEO Emeritus, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• Professor Dame Theresa Marteau DBE FMedSci (Co-Chair), Director of Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge and Director of Studies for Psychological and Behavioural Science, Christ’s College, University of Cambridge
• Professor Nancy E. Adler, Professor of Medical Psychology, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, and Director, Center for Health and Community, University of California
• Professor Huda Akil, Gardner Quarton Distinguished University Professor of Neuroscience and Psychiatry and Co-Director, The Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan
• Professor Robb Rutledge, Principal Research Associate, Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London
• Professor Harry Rutter, Professor of Global Public Health, University of Bath
