The Emotional Well-Being & Economic Burden Research Network (EMOT-ECON), a collaboration between the University of Alabama at Birmingham Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, is hosting their second annual scientific meeting.

During this two-day event—October 16-17—attendees will discover the latest research on the economic impact of disease from network members, while engaging in inspiring discussions with multi-disciplinary leaders in the field.

Hosted at the UAB National Alumni Society House in Birmingham, AL, this year’s theme will be Fostering Collaborations & Innovative Research on Emotional Well-being & the Economic Burden of Disease.

“The purpose of this conference is to foster collaboration among researchers, patients, patient advocates, healthcare providers, and others who are working to advance the science of emotional well-being in the context of the economic burden of disease,” explained Maria Pisu, PhD, co-director of EMOT-ECON and professor in the Division of Preventive Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “We’ve structured the sessions so that guests hear the latest research funded by the Network and also participate in interactive discussions about what emotional well-being means for a person who is dealing with high costs of care, loss of income, and other economic downstream effects of having a disease.”

Keynote speaker, Andy Janning, will also be in attendance. Janning is a passionate financial advocate for cancer patients, popular storyteller, and a national award-winning leader in talent development. He has written books and created documentaries including The Breast Cancer Portrait Project and the documentary Side Effects: The Financial Crisis of Cancer Hiding in Plain Sight. Janning brings a unique perspective to the conference discussions.

"We are excited to be hosting our second Annual Scientific Meeting,” said Michelle Martin, PhD, co-director of the EMOT-ECON and professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at UTHSC. “Our first scientific meeting, in Memphis, TN, resulted in new research collaborations that were the direct result of individuals interacting for the first time at our meeting. We look forward to building on this success and fostering new partnerships at the second annual meeting."

Since EMOT-ECON’s establishment in 2021, the program has sought to encourage studies that examine the burden of medical care expenses, income lost while sick, and other economic consequences of disease and the impact that these have on emotional well-being. The network strives to be the premier go-to resource for researchers who want to advance this research and translate their work into public health policy, patient advocacy and support, and innovations in health care delivery.

For those interested in attending, please follow the steps below.

1. Sign up for a no cost membership to the EMOT-ECON network. If you’re already a member, skip to step two.
2. Members, can sign up to attend the EMOT-ECON 2nd Annual Scientific Meeting with no registration fees.