Preventive Health Psychology: An Interface of Social and Clinical Psychology

Many of the leading causes of death in the United States are associated with un-healthful lifestyles and behaviors Reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with these preventable conditions is primarily a behavioral, not a medical, problem. The solution to these health problems lies in prevention rather than treatment Both clinical and social psychologists can play major roles in the next revolution in health care. It is proposed that we combine those aspects of clinical and social psychology that involve helping and influencing people to create a subfield of behavioral health: preventive health psychology.