SC Connecticut News

Matthew M. Burg, PhD, a professor of medicine specializing in cardiovascular medicine, has been elected president of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research. The organization is composed of scholars recognized for their contributions to behavioral health. Burg's work focuses on how stress and psychological experiences affect heart disease and its outcomes.

In a recent discussion, Burg shared his views on his new role and the importance of integrating behavioral health into cardiovascular care. "To be elected president of the Academy by my peers is an incredible honor," he stated. He emphasized that his election reflects a broader acknowledgment of the need for public health improvements through behavioral medicine.

Burg highlighted that over half of chronic disease burdens are linked to lifestyle behaviors and living conditions. To address this, he advocates for incorporating psychological and behavioral health into public health strategies.

As the first clinical psychologist appointed in cardiovascular medicine at Yale, Burg noted the benefits this brings to patient care. "We know that behavioral and psychological health are critical for patient well-being," he explained. Studies suggest that integrating these aspects into medical care can improve outcomes, enhance satisfaction, and reduce healthcare utilization.

Research co-authored by Burg explores the impact of negative emotions on endothelial function—a risk biomarker for heart disease. Findings indicate that even recalling distressing stories can harm endothelial cells, potentially leading to coronary artery disease. "Our study provides further evidence that negative emotions and stress effects have very real, biological effects," said Burg.

Interventions like stress reduction techniques have shown promise in mitigating these effects. A centering intervention tested by Burg demonstrated reduced negative emotional impact on endothelial function among participants.

However, integrating behavioral health into clinical practice faces challenges such as reimbursement models and cultural resistance within healthcare settings. "Changing culture is hard," Burg acknowledged, pointing out the lack of existing care models addressing comprehensive cardiovascular care including mental health aspects.

Burg aims to develop integrated care models focusing on depression, anxiety, loneliness, stress, and lifestyle behaviors to prevent heart disease progression. By demonstrating improved outcomes like patient satisfaction and reduced unnecessary care utilization, he hopes to inspire changes in payment models and healthcare culture.

The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine continues its commitment to excellence in research and education within one of the world's leading medical schools.

For further reading: Spicer J et al., Prevention of Stress-Provoked Endothelial Injury by Values Affirmation: a Proof of Principle Study (Ann Behav Med).