Respiratory Disease

According to the World Health Organization, respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of disease-related deaths worldwide. Approximately half a billion people suffer from the most common chronic respiratory diseases, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which account for close to four million deaths per year alone. A biopsychosocial approach to respiratory disease is increasingly taking root in research, treatment and management of these diseases, and the goal of this SIG is to further foster this perspective within SBSM. Much work remains to be done to understand basic psychobiological processes in asthma and to explore treatment approaches that integrate psychobiological and biomedical knowledge. In this spirit, this SIG seeks to expand on the work that was initiated with the 2023 Disease-A-Year symposium on asthma, involving experts from neuroscientific, psychophysiological, and biomedical research communities.

In coming years, this SIG will:

• Continue and broaden the work initiated with the 2023 Asthma DAY symposium
• Exchange latest insights on biopsychosocial aspects of respiratory disease
• Plan respiration-related symposia for yearly SBSM meetings and fall presentations/seminars
• Provide a networking platform for students and early career faculty interested in respiration and respiratory disease
• Work on a compendium of evidence-based psychosocial interventions for asthma
• Liaise with behaviorally oriented groups in medical societies focused on pulmonology and allergy/immunology to promote SBSM and discuss joint activities