History of the Division of Health Psychology (DHP)
The Special Group in Health Psychology was redesignated the Division of Health Psychology in December 1997 following a vote by the Membership of the Society.
Aims:
To study scientifically the psychological processes of health, illness and health care
To apply psychology to:
the promotion and maintenance of health
the analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation
the enhancement of wellbeing in those affected by illness or disability
To develop professional skills in research, consultancy and teaching/training
Objectives:
Developing Health Psychology
To develop and evaluate education in health psychology
To facilitate the development of research in health psychology
To develop professional roles, career structure and employment possibilities for health psychologists
To increase the membership of the Division.
Applying Health Psychology
To promote the application of health psychology in the domains of health and social care
To promote the development of effective, psychologically informed interventions that enhance health-related behaviour
To contribute to the framing of relevant public health agendas, strategies and targets
To work more closely with policy-making bodies eg. Department of Health, Health Development Agency, the Health Education Board of Scotland, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, research funding bodies in the
UK
To promote involvement with local community bodies and user groups (eg Health Action Zones, regional development teams and local implementation groups)
To teach and train others who have an impact on health.