Health Behaviors
Our health behaviors researchers devote themselves to developing objective information about the variety of health behaviors that greatly affect the cost of health care and the development and implementation of health interventions. Our behavioral research programs support sound decision making not only by federal agencies that develop and promote health care programs but also by insurers, employers, and individuals.
Focus Areas
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Behavioral Health Epidemiology
Links between psychiatric disorders and other illnesses; genetic and environmental factors in substance abuse; origins and manifestations of mental illness; post-traumatic stress disorder -
Risk Behavior and Family Research
Family and parenting influences on adolescent risk behaviors; family or intimate partner violence; marital and partner therapy; adolescent reproductive health; substance abuse prevention -
Transdisciplinary Behavioral Science
Causal mechanisms in drug abuse, antisocial behavior, and mental illness; environmental and psychosocial stressors on neurobiology; responses to preventive and treatment interventions; treatments for alcohol dependence -
Psychology of Health Behavior
Cardiovascular health; child and adolescent health; HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases; immigration and citizenship; civic engagement and public participation; prevention and control of diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Alcohol research; emerging drugs of abuse; prescription drug abuse; tobacco use; treatment evaluations and interventions; underage drinking - Obesity
Economic evaluations; intervention development and evaluations; survey research
Study: Severe Obesity Greatly Reduces Life Expectancy; Overweight, Moderate Obesity Do Not
Researchers at RTI International have found that severe obesity can have a significant impact on reduced life expectancy, but being overweight or moderately obese appears to have little effect.