Symposium 40: The Advocacy Council presents: An Overview of SBM’s Contributions to a Special Issue of Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Science

An Overview of SBM’s Contributions to a Special Issue of Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Science

Overview Abstract: The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) is a member society of the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS), a coalition of scientific societies, academic departments, and organizations that communicates with policy makers and the public about the importance of basic and applied research in behavioral and brain sciences. The FABBS journal, Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Science (PIBBS), is a publication that presents scientific reviews relevant to public policy. In March 2025, SBM and FAABS will be publishing a special issue of PIBBS that is focused on health psychology (broadly defined). The goal of this symposium is to highlight SBM’s contributions to the upcoming special issue. First, Presenter 1 will provide an overview of SBM’s contributions to the special issue. The following two presentations will each highlight one of the invited articles. Presenter 2 will discuss their article describing a landscape analysis of policies related to front-of-package nutrition labeling. Presenter 3 will discuss their article describing policy recommendations to overcome challenges to chronic pain management in older adults. Consistent with the SBM 2025 conference theme, Context Matters: Bridging Perspectives in Behavioral Medicine, the Guest Editor of the special issue will guide a closing discussion on the broader implications of SBM’s contributions to PIBBS, emphasizing how the integration of behavioral medicine research into public policy is critical for improving health outcomes. This discussion will also explore challenges and opportunities in translating evidence-based research into actionable policies, particularly in the context of SBM’s policy priority areas of improving child nutrition, climate change and health, and increasing access to non-pharmacological pain management.

Presentation 1: Policy Insights from Brain and Behavioral Sciences: Contributions from SBM Health Policy Ambassadors in climate change and health, child nutrition, and pain management priority areas
Authors: Roger Figueroa, Lisa R. LaRowe, Kristi White, and Elizabeth Adams

Background: In its 9th year, the Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Sciences (PIBBS), a Journal from the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS), accepted nominations for contributors who could share their research to inform policymakers on cutting-edge evidence addressing policy-relevant societal challenges. SBM is an organizational member of FABBS and were invited to identify 12 SBM members, including SBM Health Policy Ambassadors, to submit articles for the March 2025 issue of PIBBS. Broadly, the March 2025 PIBBS issue will focus on health psychology and would also include invited articles from two fellow FABBS organizational members: American Psychosomatic Society, and Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research.

Health policy Landscape: Similar to FABBS, a very active organization in congressional and federal policy advocacy efforts, SBM has spent almost two decades building a strong policy advocacy council supported by its members. Currently, SBM’s Health Policy Ambassadors Program is dedicated to establishing and sustaining relationships with federal lawmakers and their staffs, engaging them to make evidence-based decisions regarding specific policies. While ambassadors educate lawmakers about the relevant scientific evidence in the field of behavioral medicine, lawmakers educate ambassadors about their needs on specific issues and the policymaking process. The PIBBS articles from SBM members will emphasize current SBM policy priorities: child nutrition, climate change and health, and pain management/opioid use disorder.

Research: SBM’s contributions to the 9th PIBBS edition will feature articles led by SBM Health Policy Ambassadors focused on (1) Human and planetary health co-benefits; (2) Chronic Pain in Older Adults; (3) Front-of-package nutrition labeling to promote dietary behaviors. A description of the collaboration process to develop these articles will be the discussed in this presentation. For example, authors of the "human and planetary health co-benefits" article perceived that their approach took a shared lead authorship structure yielding equal contributions to reinforce the messages in past position statements developed by fellow SBM ambassadors.

Policy Implications: PIBBS is an ideal opportunity to help reduce research to policy translation gaps and a deliberate service to society at a large. The journal’s readership audience include employees of federal agencies, congressional policymakers and their staff. This rare opportunity (once every 5 years for member organizations) to develop to evidence-based policy recommendations allows SBM to continue advancing their impact and reach in the health policy space.

Presentation 2: Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling: Landscape Analysis
Authors: Sara M. St. George; Vanessa Morales; Christopher Laurie; Elizabeth Adams; Melanie Bean; Roger Figueroa

Background: Foods high in sugar and saturated fat are often the most affordable, widely available, and heavily marketed to the public. Americans to consume 50% more sodium and 40% more saturated fat and added sugars than what is recommended by Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This unhealthy dietary pattern is associated with malnutrition, chronic disease risk (e.g., obesity), and mortality. The objective of this paper is to explore front-of-package nutrition labels (FOPNL) as a standardized, easily interpretable alternative to traditional food labeling and provide a comprehensive overview of the current food labeling landscape, research, and the legislative context surrounding the adoption of this practice.

Current Food Labeling Landscape: Standard nutrition labels often contain unregulated terms (e.g., natural, healthy) which can inhibit consumers from making informed dietary choices, particularly among those with low health and nutrition literacy. Nutrition Facts labels, mandated by the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, are typically located on the back of packaging, potentially limiting consumers’ ability to review nutrient information.

Research: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that consumers prefer simple, interpretive FOPNL schemes, which are helpful for individuals with low nutritional knowledge. Additional studies show that FOPNL help consumers identify healthier products and reduce purchases of products that are high in sugar and sodium.

Legislative Context: In September 2022, The White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health called on the FDA to propose FOPNL schemes to help consumers make informed dietary choices. The Transparency, Readability, Understandability, Truth, and Helpfulness (TRUTH) in Labeling Act introduced to the House of Representatives in December 2023, shares a similar goal to establish regulations for FOPNL. The FDA is expected to publish a proposed policy mandating FOPNL in October 2024.

Limitations & Future Directions: There is a lack of a consensus in effectiveness research indicating that FOPNL is positively associated with consumer dietary behaviors. Additionally, implementation costs may burden food manufacturers and hinder widespread adoption. A current study by the FDA is under review and will determine the most effective FOPNL schema and inform the proposed policy expected in October 2024.

Presentation 3: Chronic Pain in Older Adults: Challenges to Pain Management and Policy Recommendations
Authors: Lisa R. LaRowe, Seema Patidar, Amy Goetzinger, Skye Margolies, and Ryan Mace

Background: Chronic pain affects 38% of older adults, posing a significant burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems, and contributing to poorer aging outcomes such as physical disability, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. The prevalence of chronic pain is expected to rise as the aging population grows, further straining healthcare resources due to the associated high costs. The goals of this paper are to describe challenges to chronic pain management in older adults and identify policy-based solutions.

Current Landscape: Historically, treatment of chronic pain in older adults has relied on medication. However, the biopsychosocial model highlights the importance of addressing the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors when managing chronic pain in older adults. Nonetheless, opioids continue to be inappropriately used as a first-line treatment for older adults with chronic pain, with nearly one-quarter of Medicare Part D beneficiaries receiving an opioid prescription in 2021.

Research: We will provide an overview of research describing the challenges to chronic pain management in older adults. For example, older adults often face barriers to accessing nonopioid and nonpharmacological pain treatments, including cost of care, lack of transportation, and limited pharmacologic options due to greater polypharmacy and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics. In addition, significant health disparities have been identified in the assessment and management of chronic pain in older adults.

Policy Implications: We will outline policy recommendations that are critical for improving chronic pain management in older adults. For example, we will discuss the importance of: reforming Medicare to increase access to nonopioid and non-pharmacologic treatments; improving telehealth policies to expand access to technology-delivered treatments; increasing funding for public health interventions in midlife as a primary prevention strategy to mitigate chronic pain in aging populations; developing clearer guidelines on opioid deprescribing; and enhancing provider education on chronic pain management for older adults.

Chair - Roger Figueroa Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Sc.  Student
Cornell University

Presenter - Lisa LaRowe Ph.D.  Student
Massachusetts General Hospital

Presenter - Sara St. George Ph.D.  Student
University of Miami

Co-Author - Kristi White Ph.D.  Student
University of Minnesota

An Overview of SBM’s Contributions to a Special Issue of Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Science

Overview Abstract: The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) is a member society of the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS), a coalition of scientific societies, academic departments, and organizations that communicates with policy makers and the public about the importance of basic and applied research in behavioral and brain sciences. The FABBS journal, Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Science (PIBBS), is a publication that presents scientific reviews relevant to public policy. In March 2025, SBM and FAABS will be publishing a special issue of PIBBS that is focused on health psychology (broadly defined). The goal of this symposium is to highlight SBM’s contributions to the upcoming special issue. First, Presenter 1 will provide an overview of SBM’s contributions to the special issue. The following two presentations will each highlight one of the invited articles. Presenter 2 will discuss their article describing a landscape analysis of policies related to front-of-package nutrition labeling. Presenter 3 will discuss their article describing policy recommendations to overcome challenges to chronic pain management in older adults. Consistent with the SBM 2025 conference theme, Context Matters: Bridging Perspectives in Behavioral Medicine, the Guest Editor of the special issue will guide a closing discussion on the broader implications of SBM’s contributions to PIBBS, emphasizing how the integration of behavioral medicine research into public policy is critical for improving health outcomes. This discussion will also explore challenges and opportunities in translating evidence-based research into actionable policies, particularly in the context of SBM’s policy priority areas of improving child nutrition, climate change and health, and increasing access to non-pharmacological pain management.

Presentation 1: Policy Insights from Brain and Behavioral Sciences: Contributions from SBM Health Policy Ambassadors in climate change and health, child nutrition, and pain management priority areas
Authors: Roger Figueroa, Lisa R. LaRowe, Kristi White, and Elizabeth Adams

Background: In its 9th year, the Policy Insights from Behavioral and Brain Sciences (PIBBS), a Journal from the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (FABBS), accepted nominations for contributors who could share their research to inform policymakers on cutting-edge evidence addressing policy-relevant societal challenges. SBM is an organizational member of FABBS and were invited to identify 12 SBM members, including SBM Health Policy Ambassadors, to submit articles for the March 2025 issue of PIBBS. Broadly, the March 2025 PIBBS issue will focus on health psychology and would also include invited articles from two fellow FABBS organizational members: American Psychosomatic Society, and Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research.

Health policy Landscape: Similar to FABBS, a very active organization in congressional and federal policy advocacy efforts, SBM has spent almost two decades building a strong policy advocacy council supported by its members. Currently, SBM’s Health Policy Ambassadors Program is dedicated to establishing and sustaining relationships with federal lawmakers and their staffs, engaging them to make evidence-based decisions regarding specific policies. While ambassadors educate lawmakers about the relevant scientific evidence in the field of behavioral medicine, lawmakers educate ambassadors about their needs on specific issues and the policymaking process. The PIBBS articles from SBM members will emphasize current SBM policy priorities: child nutrition, climate change and health, and pain management/opioid use disorder.

Research: SBM’s contributions to the 9th PIBBS edition will feature articles led by SBM Health Policy Ambassadors focused on (1) Human and planetary health co-benefits; (2) Chronic Pain in Older Adults; (3) Front-of-package nutrition labeling to promote dietary behaviors. A description of the collaboration process to develop these articles will be the discussed in this presentation. For example, authors of the "human and planetary health co-benefits" article perceived that their approach took a shared lead authorship structure yielding equal contributions to reinforce the messages in past position statements developed by fellow SBM ambassadors.

Policy Implications: PIBBS is an ideal opportunity to help reduce research to policy translation gaps and a deliberate service to society at a large. The journal’s readership audience include employees of federal agencies, congressional policymakers and their staff. This rare opportunity (once every 5 years for member organizations) to develop to evidence-based policy recommendations allows SBM to continue advancing their impact and reach in the health policy space.

Presentation 2: Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling: Landscape Analysis
Authors: Sara M. St. George; Vanessa Morales; Christopher Laurie; Elizabeth Adams; Melanie Bean; Roger Figueroa

Background: Foods high in sugar and saturated fat are often the most affordable, widely available, and heavily marketed to the public. Americans to consume 50% more sodium and 40% more saturated fat and added sugars than what is recommended by Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This unhealthy dietary pattern is associated with malnutrition, chronic disease risk (e.g., obesity), and mortality. The objective of this paper is to explore front-of-package nutrition labels (FOPNL) as a standardized, easily interpretable alternative to traditional food labeling and provide a comprehensive overview of the current food labeling landscape, research, and the legislative context surrounding the adoption of this practice.

Current Food Labeling Landscape: Standard nutrition labels often contain unregulated terms (e.g., natural, healthy) which can inhibit consumers from making informed dietary choices, particularly among those with low health and nutrition literacy. Nutrition Facts labels, mandated by the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, are typically located on the back of packaging, potentially limiting consumers’ ability to review nutrient information.

Research: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that consumers prefer simple, interpretive FOPNL schemes, which are helpful for individuals with low nutritional knowledge. Additional studies show that FOPNL help consumers identify healthier products and reduce purchases of products that are high in sugar and sodium.

Legislative Context: In September 2022, The White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health called on the FDA to propose FOPNL schemes to help consumers make informed dietary choices. The Transparency, Readability, Understandability, Truth, and Helpfulness (TRUTH) in Labeling Act introduced to the House of Representatives in December 2023, shares a similar goal to establish regulations for FOPNL. The FDA is expected to publish a proposed policy mandating FOPNL in October 2024.

Limitations & Future Directions: There is a lack of a consensus in effectiveness research indicating that FOPNL is positively associated with consumer dietary behaviors. Additionally, implementation costs may burden food manufacturers and hinder widespread adoption. A current study by the FDA is under review and will determine the most effective FOPNL schema and inform the proposed policy expected in October 2024.

Presentation 3: Chronic Pain in Older Adults: Challenges to Pain Management and Policy Recommendations
Authors: Lisa R. LaRowe, Seema Patidar, Amy Goetzinger, Skye Margolies, and Ryan Mace

Background: Chronic pain affects 38% of older adults, posing a significant burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems, and contributing to poorer aging outcomes such as physical disability, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. The prevalence of chronic pain is expected to rise as the aging population grows, further straining healthcare resources due to the associated high costs. The goals of this paper are to describe challenges to chronic pain management in older adults and identify policy-based solutions.

Current Landscape: Historically, treatment of chronic pain in older adults has relied on medication. However, the biopsychosocial model highlights the importance of addressing the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors when managing chronic pain in older adults. Nonetheless, opioids continue to be inappropriately used as a first-line treatment for older adults with chronic pain, with nearly one-quarter of Medicare Part D beneficiaries receiving an opioid prescription in 2021.

Research: We will provide an overview of research describing the challenges to chronic pain management in older adults. For example, older adults often face barriers to accessing nonopioid and nonpharmacological pain treatments, including cost of care, lack of transportation, and limited pharmacologic options due to greater polypharmacy and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics. In addition, significant health disparities have been identified in the assessment and management of chronic pain in older adults.

Policy Implications: We will outline policy recommendations that are critical for improving chronic pain management in older adults. For example, we will discuss the importance of: reforming Medicare to increase access to nonopioid and non-pharmacologic treatments; improving telehealth policies to expand access to technology-delivered treatments; increasing funding for public health interventions in midlife as a primary prevention strategy to mitigate chronic pain in aging populations; developing clearer guidelines on opioid deprescribing; and enhancing provider education on chronic pain management for older adults.

Chair - Roger Figueroa, PhD, MPH, MSc, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Sc.,
Cornell University

Presenter - Lisa LaRowe, Ph.D.,
Massachusetts General Hospital

Presenter - Sara St. George, Ph.D.,
University of Miami

Co-Author - Kristi White, Ph.D.,
University of Minnesota