Pre-conference: What, where, when, whom, and why: introduction to the behavioural science toolkit for public health (BHPH)

Tuesday 11 November, 09:00 – 17:00 Helsinki time
(with network lunch at 12:30)


Organised by

Proposed EUPHA Behavioural science for public health section, International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands

Background

Human behaviour plays a key role in health, wellbeing, and health outcomes. Health-related behaviours are grounded in complex individual and social contexts, and enhanced people-centred and evidence-based methods are needed: 1) to understand what drives health behaviours; 2) to implement effective interventions; and 3) to evaluate the impact of interventions in public health. Applying behavioural science is a multidisciplinary approach which delivers measurable impact through data-driven and people-centred social innovation.

Objectives

  • Get familiar with the behavioural science approach, including key theoretical models and frameworks
  • Understand the steps of the behavioural science approach in the context of public health
  • Introducing the application in your own area of work

Target audience

Public health professionals who want to learn more about behavioural and cultural insights. No prior knowledge of the application of behavioural and social sciences to health is required to attend.

 About the training

This training pre-conference offers a variety of plenary presentations, facilitated discussions, case examples, videos, and group exercises. The full day session consists of two parts: an introductory training session in the morning and a follow-up session in the afternoon.

Speakers from

  • Department of Behaviour and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
  • Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom
  • Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg University, the Netherlands
  • Public Health Service (GGD) Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
  • Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
  • Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, CIUSSS-NIM, Montreal, Canada
  • University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada
  • Flanders Institute for Healthy Living, Belgium

Programme

09:00 – 09:50 Welcome & Introduction by Jet Sanders, RIVM

Block 1: What is Behavioural science?
Led by Jet Sanders (RIVM), Simon Bacon (Concordia University) and Tess de Valk (RIVM)

09:15 – 09:45 What is behavioural science?
Jet Sanders, RIVM

09:45 – 10:05 What is the point?
Interactive session with Tess de Valk, RIVM

10:05 – 10:30 Why should public health care about behavioural science?
Simon Bacon, Concordia University and Panel​

Block 2: Applying behavioural science to public health​
Led by Lien van der Biest, Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven, Fraukje Mevissen, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Jeanine Guidry-Drost, Tilburg University

11:00 – 11:30 Introduction to evidence-based interventions incl. tailoring health programmes (THP)
Jeanine Guidry-Drost, Tilburg University

11:30 – 12:00 Why do people do the way they do: capability - opportunity - motivation (COM-B )
Interactive session with Lien van der Biest, Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven

12:00 – 12:30 How does that work in practice?
In small groups you will apply what you learned focusing on a specific health problem. 

12:30 – 13:30: Lunch

13:30 – 14:00 Yes we can (change)! Intervention design​ & Behaviour change techniques
Fraukje Mevissen, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond

14:00 – 14:30 How does that work in practice?
In the same small groups you will apply what you learned continuing with the same health problem.

Block 3: Challenges and opportunities for successful integration of behavioural sciences in public health: concrete examples​
Led by Kim Lavoie & Jet Sanders

15:00 15:10 Challenges for the integration of behavioural sciences into public health policy and practice
Kim Lavoie, University of Quebec at Montreal

15:10 – 15:20 Success Story 1: International COVID-19 Awareness, Responses and Evaluation (iCARE) Study (optimizing adherence to prevention measures and vaccine uptake)
Kim Lavoie, University of Quebec at Montreal

15:20 – 15:30 Success Story 2: National approach to embedding behavioural science in public health with actibility​
Jet Sanders, RIVM

15:30 – 16:00 Panel: Be mindful (replications, other evaluation RCTs, ethics, harm)​/ Why is it not intergrated
Simon Bacon, Concordia University and all on the panel

16:00 – 16:30 Where to learn more, wrap-up and next step & questions
Jet Sanders, RIVM

Registration

The registration fee is EUR 80 (full day!). Networking lunch and refreshments are included.