Behavioral Medicine News and Research

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Behavioral medicine (BM) is a newly developing field of study which integrates behavioral, psychosocial, and biomedical concepts and practices to prevent, diagnose, and treat patients with psychosomatic disorders. The practice of BM targets the relation between how both thought and behavior can affect mental and physical health.

Climate change intensifies global health risks, Lancet Countdown report warns

The 2026 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change finds that many of the health risks and harms of climate change grew faster in the decade since the Paris Agreement was introduced (2016–2025) than in the decade before it (2006–2015).

27 Oct 2026

LGBTQ+ college students facing discrimination report higher mental health risks

LGBTQ+ college students who experience discrimination are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and avoid needed health care, according to a new national study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.

23 Oct 2026

Maternal stress alters placental pathways affecting fetal brain development

About one in five U.S. women experience maternal mental health conditions, and chronic stress during pregnancy can contribute to risk for both maternal and child health challenges.

23 Oct 2026

Culturally tailored tobacco prevention shows promise for Native youth

Two studies examining commercial tobacco use in Native American communities underscore the importance of culturally responsive prevention and a deeper understanding of how substance use fits into people's everyday lives.

1 Oct 2026

New AI framework personalizes supportive care for cancer survivors

Researchers with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, have created a framework for developing, evaluating and implementing AI tools in cancer survivorship and supportive care, according to a new proof-of-concept study published in the journal Translational Behavioral Medicine.

30 Sep 2026

Can’t stop thinking about food? You’re far from alone

Investigating 'food noise', this study reveals its association with diet quality and mental health, emphasizing demographic influences and eating behaviors.

29 Sep 2026

Intuitive eating may be linked to more than a healthier relationship with food

A cross-sectional study of 1,057 U.S. adults examined how intuitive eating relates to stress, sleep, physical activity, substance use, diet, self-rated health, and self-reported cardiometabolic conditions. Higher intuitive eating scores were associated with several favorable health indicators, although the study cannot establish causality or determine the direction of these relationships.

25 Sep 2026

Stay sharp after menopause: How aerobic exercise can improve key thinking skills

Regular aerobic exercise – the kind that gets your heart pumping – can improve important thinking skills called executive functions, and the benefits appear especially strong for women after menopause, according to Rutgers researchers.

2 Sep 2026

Aerobic exercise boosts executive function in postmenopausal women

31 Aug 2026

Precision psychiatry aims to match schizophrenia patients with tailored medicines

Imagine watching a son or daughter begin college during a formative time in life, only to have schizophrenia suddenly alter their reality.

31 Aug 2026

Post-seizure psychotic episodes linked to future mental health risks

Some people with epilepsy experience delusions, hallucinations, paranoia and confusion after a seizure.

27 Aug 2026

Online training program helps clinicians track psychiatric patient progress consistently

Questionnaires that track depression, anxiety, and other symptoms can help psychiatrists see whether a patient is improving.

11 Aug 2026

Daily routines reduce pain and depression in older adults

University of Missouri researchers have identified a simple, effective way to improve quality of life. A new study found that maintaining a consistent daily routine can reduce physical pain and ease symptoms of depression, demonstrating how everyday habits can have a meaningful impact on well-being, particularly for older adults with insomnia.

28 Jul 2026

Rural youth face high firearm exposure and mental health risks

Rural youth experience higher rates of firearm exposure, handgun carrying and associated mental health risks, according to Rutgers researchers.

27 Apr 2026

High-dose motor therapy improves outcomes after perinatal stroke

In infants and toddlers who had a stroke before birth or as a newborn (28 days or younger), a treatment that combined restricting the use of the stronger arm with intensive task-oriented physical therapy led to improved function and skill gained on the weak side compared to standard care, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

7 Feb 2026

Preloading Instacart online grocery carts with healthy ingredients could help improve the diets of families

University at Buffalo researchers have shown that preloading Instacart online grocery carts with healthy ingredients could be a useful tool for improving the diets of families with young kids at risk for obesity.

4 Dec 2025

Older women with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea show worse memory performance

New research among older adults with sleep apnea reveals that verbal memory performance is significantly worse in women - but not in men - who also have insomnia.

1 Dec 2025

Expanding education boosts lifestyle medicine adoption across health systems

Expanding access to lifestyle medicine education opportunities-such as continuing medical education (CME) courses, professional certification, webinars, mentoring and peer-to-peer connections, and conference participation-can facilitate the adoption of the medical specialty across health systems, according to a new study published in Translational Behavioral Medicine.

23 Sep 2025

Wearable sensors uncover five hidden patterns of overeating

What if your smart watch could sense when you're about to raid the fridge, and gently steer you toward a healthier choice instead?

17 Sep 2025

First ESC statement on mental health and heart disease promotes integrated care

A new ESC Clinical Consensus Statement is calling for greater awareness of the multidirectional relationship between mental health conditions and cardiovascular disease to improve patient health.

30 Aug 2025