We all know it is easier to experiment with a new behavior than it is to develop a regular practice or a life-long habit. I have experienced this for myself, being unable to consistently engage in mindfulness meditation or curb my sweet tooth!

Health behavior maintenance is the ability to sustain health-related behaviors over time, which is a core driver of positive health outcomes. While scientists have made strides in promoting short-term adoption of recommended health behaviors, sustaining these behaviors long-term has proven challenging. 

Behavioral changes sparked by clinical trials often fade when the research ends. Additionally, short-term interventions are rarely tested for their impact on long-term behavior maintenance. Developing, testing, and promoting interventions to achieve long-term behavior maintenance to prevent and treat chronic illness will enhance overall public health and reduce disparities. 

Changing behavior is a complex endeavor. Optimal health is determined by complex interacting factors at multiple levels, including genetics, disease processes, social supports, health beliefs and behaviors, and social and structural determinants of health such as access to health care and education as well as safe spaces to work and exercise. Infrastructure and policies regarding resources and social inequities are beyond the control of individuals and require systems-level intervention approaches. All these factors must be considered when exploring the science and implementation of behavior maintenance in clinical and community settings.

Emerging mechanistic and systems-based evidence has deepened our understanding of the processes involved in behavior maintenance. Instead of viewing health behavior maintenance as a static, uniform process, we now know that maintaining health behaviors is a dynamic, individualized journey that evolves over a person's life, shaped by unique circumstances and environment.

For more than 20 years, the behavioral and social sciences community at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has worked to promote health behavior maintenance through initiatives like the Behavior Maintenance Consortium, the Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) program, and the Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet). Recently, OBSSR and the NIH Adherence Research Network Scientific Interest Group have launched new efforts to further advance this field of research. 

Specifically, the Adherence Network and OBSSR recently partnered with 13 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices to issue a call for research grant applications focused on improving adherence to recommended treatments, prevention strategies, and sustained health behaviors that promote positive outcomes. 

In addition, OBSSR and the Adherence Network have launched a series of initiatives, including:

• A portfolio review of behavior maintenance studies funded in response to the Adherence Network Notice of Special Interest (NOT-OD-21-100) and a call for supplemental applications focused on behavior change (NOT-OD-22-140).
• A series of four workshops focused on the science of behavior maintenance, covering topics like conceptualization, measurement, monitoring, and research approaches for long-term maintenance, along with examples from community and clinical settings.
• A scoping literature review (set to begin in fall 2024).
• A meeting of experts to develop a working model of behavior maintenance for research and clinical testing (spring 2025).

The products of these efforts are now available on a new health behavior maintenance page on the OBSSR website. Additionally, a presentation on the Adherence Network and these behavior maintenance efforts will take place at the Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee (BSSR-CC) meeting on Friday, October 4 at 9:00 a.m. ET. This presentation is open to the public. The event will also be recorded and archived on the OBSSR website for future reference.

We hope you will join us at the BSSR-CC meeting and take advantage of these new resources as we work to enhance the health of all through the maintenance of healthful behaviors.