Science
DIRECTIONS
The science and workforce of health
BY DR. STEVEN J. BRECKLER • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SCIENCE
Among the many accomplishments of psychological science is a broad
and growing base of research on health and behavior. People’s lives
are improved and the quality of health care is better thanks to the
contributions of basic behavioral science research. Our commitment to
supporting the science of health is an important component of APA’s
new Center for Psychology and Health (see “From the CEO,”
January Monitor). A small sampling of activities over the past
year illustrates how we focus our efforts in this area:
• In partnership with other public health organizations, APA
commented on the premarket review of new tobacco products.
The Science Government Relations Office continues to make
the case that psychological science be used to inform the
regulatory actions of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.
By bringing together our
own expertise in science,
practice, education and
public interest, APA has
formed a strong partnership
to expand psychology’s role
in advancing health.
workforce of psychology. An important part of this mission is
to assess needs and demands for health-related psychological
services. This analysis will be crucial for making psychology
prepared for and responsive to the nation’s health-care needs.
The APA Center for Psychology and Health is an exciting
and important development. By bringing together our own
expertise in science, practice, education and public interest, APA
has formed a strong partnership to expand psychology’s role in
advancing health. n
