News

2010 APA Convention Programming & Activities
Psychology’s contribution to addressing socioeconomic disparities in health, well-being, and human development continues to gain recognition within and outside of APA. OSES and CSES are excited to be participating in several symposia, events, and activities during the 2010 APA Convention held August 12-15 in San Diego, including:

SES Convention Program Highlights
OSES has combed through the entire Convention Program book, selected SES-specific sessions and events, and compiled a mini-booklet to guide members interested in SES-related programming. Visit the website for electronic copies of the SES Convention Program Highlights. Electronic copies will be available soon. Hard copies will also be available in the Public Interest Booth located in the San Diego Convention Center.

CSES Co-sponsored Preconvention Workshop:
Measuring Socioeconomic Status and Social Class in Psychological Research
Wednesday, August 11, 8:00–11:50 a.m.
Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel (1 Park Blvd.)
Co-sponsors: CSES, APA Office of Continuing Education in Psychology

This workshop seeks to promote the systematic understanding of the roles of poverty and social class in health, development, education, and human welfare. By fostering participants’ conceptual understanding of and capacity to measure SES and social class rigorously in psychological research, this workshop aims to increase and improve psychology’s consideration of SES and social class in its scholarship and in the review process.

CSES Co-sponsored Symposia:
A New Look at Homelessness: Research, Policy, and Funding
Thursday, August 12, 11:00–11:50 a.m.
San Diego Convention Center/Room 15B
Co-sponsors: Division 18, Division 27, CSES, TFPCEH

In 2009, APA President James Bray established the Presidential Task Force on Psychology's Contribution to End Homelessness ( TFPCEH). Its mission was to identify the psychosocial factors and conditions associated with homelessness and define the role of psychologists in addressing it. This symposium reflects the work of the TFPCEH to synthesize the research literature, conceptualize the role of psychologists in influencing public policy, and strengthen opportunities for psychologists to engage in direct service and scholarly pursuits related to homelessness. It is crucial for psychologists to engage in this discussion as the economic crisis continues and influences the loss of homes. Current research on homelessness addresses the phenomenon as it affects adults, families, and children and gives special attention to social and structural factors that contribute to the crisis. The federal government, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), pays particular attention to the mental health and substance use problems experienced by many individuals who are homeless through its programs and policies. Programs, policies, and federal funding for research and services for this vulnerable population will be discussed. Finally, the ways in which psychologists can be involved in influencing public policy will be addressed. In addition to local advocacy for homeless individuals and families, psychologists can utilize their skills to participate in legislative activities, translate research findings into policy recommendations, and support the lobbying efforts of state and national psychological associations.

CSES Co-sponsored Symposia:
Engaging Schools and Communities: Advancing Behavioral, Physical, and Public Health
Friday, August 13, 10:00–11:50 a.m.
Room 29B, San Diego Convention Center
Co-sponsors: BAPPI, CYF, CSES, CWP

The panel developed in a collaboration between CYF, CSES, CWP and Division 54 features presentations on partnerships in schools and communities that address HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention, obesity, post-disaster coping, work with homeless youth, and early intervention programs.   The presenters and discussants will discuss the importance of their research as it relates to the symposia topic Engaging Schools and Communities to Advance Behavioral, Physical and Public Health, and to BAPPI’s theme, Public Interest, Health and Psychology.

CSES Co-sponsored Symposia:
Health Disparities Among Women: Social Science and Social Justice Perspectives
Friday, August 13, 12:00–1:50 p.m.
San Diego Convention Center, Room 30C
Co-sponsors: BAPPI, CWP, CSES

Health care reform is currently a topic of heated debate for which psychologists have a unique opportunity to expand psychology’s role in advancing health and help shape national policy. Psychologists are particularly well positioned to advocate for the inclusion of health care and psychological services that address existing health disparities among people of color and women in particular, who shoulder a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality. This symposium will examine health disparities among women from a social science perspective; provide research data on current disparities among sexual minority women, as well as African American women; focusing on NEW TOPIC, physical health, substance use, interpersonal violence, and human trafficking. The session will close with a discussion of the disadvantage of socioeconomic status on women’s overall health and wellness, particularly the negative impact on women’s access to affordable and appropriate healthcare and implications for social policy and action.

CSES Co-sponsored Symposia:
APA’s Socioeconomic Status Related Cancer Disparities Program (SESRCD)
Saturday, August 14, 4:00– 4:50 p.m.
San Diego Convention Center , Upper Level, Room 31A
Co-sponsors: BAPPI, CSES

This symposium will highlight innovative research, strategies, approaches, and models for reducing socioeconomic related cancer disparities based on activities of the SESRCD Program. SESRCD is a five-year $1.75 million cooperative agreement between APA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (CDC-DCPC). Administered through PI’s Office on Socioeconomic Status, SESRCD is a national strategy to build the capacity of community cancer serving organizations and stakeholders to access, adopt, adapt, and utilize evidence-/practice-based strategies shown effective in reducing cancer health disparities among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

More details on CSES sponsored symposia will be available in the SES Convention Program Highlights.

Annual SES Network Meeting & CSES Awards Presentations
Friday, August 13, 3:00– 4:00 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, Division 53 Hospitality Suite, 333 West Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101

This once a year meeting provides an opportunity to meet with SES Committee members and colleagues—representatives of various divisions, state associations, and other groups—to share ideas, raise questions, and identify activities and critical issues related to socioeconomic status. The CSES Leadership Awards will be presented to recognize the outstanding achievements of psychologists and friends of psychology who have made significant contributions to the understanding of socioeconomic status and the lives and wellbeing of the poor. The official invitation to the SES Network Meeting will be online. Hard copies will also be available in San Diego at the Public Interest Booth.

RSVP by Tuesday, August 10 or call 202-336-6146.

PI Booth
Visit the Public Interest Booth during Convention located in the San Diego Convention Center, Member Resources for SES publications and resources including hard copies of the Report of the APA Task Force on Socioeconomic Status, the Report of the Task Force on Resources for the Inclusion of Social Class in Psychology Curricula, the Report of the Task Force on Psychology’s Contribution to End Homelessness, SES Network Meeting postcards, SESRCD brochures, and SES Convention Program Highlights.

The above programming and activities are indicative of the continued interest and support for SES-related issues that has resulted in the considerable growth OSES and CSES has experienced over the years. We hope you will be able to join us at the APA Convention in San Diego.