Health Psychology Division

Connecting psychology, health and wellbeing across South African communities.

Introduction

The Health Psychology Division (HPD) creates a professional space for researchers, academics, clinicians, students and others interested in the relationship between psychology and health. The Division supports the sharing of research, professional experience and lived experience, while creating opportunities for collaboration across psychology, healthcare and related fields. Through its activities, HPD aims to strengthen the contribution of health psychology to the wellbeing of people and communities in South Africa.

Featured Initiative

Health Psychology Division Podcast Series

The Health Psychology Division has developed a growing podcast series that creates space for researchers, practitioners and collaborators to share work that is shaping health psychology in South Africa. The series gives visibility to applied research, community-based innovation and emerging approaches to health communication, while making complex ideas more accessible to a wider professional audience. Recent conversations have explored topics such as chronic disease self-management, digital health, participatory design, culturally responsive communication and the responsible use of AI in health-related interventions. By profiling this work, the Division is helping to connect research with practice and drawing attention to locally relevant approaches that respond to the realities of South African communities. The series also reflects the Division’s contribution to knowledge sharing across disciplines, offering a platform for emerging and established voices to discuss how psychology can support better health outcomes, strengthen community engagement and inform future practice.

About the Division

Who we are

The Health Psychology Division brings together people with an interest in health psychology across research, academia, clinical practice, healthcare and training. It provides a community in which members can share their work and experiences, develop professional connections and contribute to the continued development of health psychology within South Africa.

Division Constitution

View Constitution

What we do

HPD supports the development of health psychology through:

Research: Sharing health psychology research conducted in South Africa and supporting research into the state of the field.
Knowledge Sharing: Providing regular updates on research, Division activities and relevant conferences.
Newsletters: Creating a platform for members, patients, students and healthcare professionals to share short articles about their work and experiences.
Podcasts: Highlighting the perspectives and work of healthcare professionals, researchers and students, while also creating space for patient experiences.
Professional Learning: Providing webinars and other opportunities for members to engage with topics relevant to health psychology.
Networking and Collaboration: Connecting people working and studying across health psychology and related fields.
Community Building: Creating opportunities for members to share experiences, knowledge and perspectives within the Health Psychology community.

Membership

Why Join This Division

Joining HPD provides an opportunity to become part of a community focused on the development of health psychology in South Africa. Members can connect with peers and scholars, stay informed about research and professional activities, participate in learning opportunities and contribute their own knowledge and experiences to the Division’s work.

Membership Benefits

Members have access to:

Health Psychology Knowledge: Opportunities to develop greater exposure to and understanding of the field of Health Psychology.
Division Updates and Resources: Access to regular updates, newsletters and podcasts.
Networking: Opportunities to connect with peers, researchers, practitioners and scholars active in the field.
Professional Development: Opportunities to attend relevant events, including activities that may offer CPD points.
Research Connections: Opportunities to become part of the Health Psychology researcher database.
Professional Community: A platform for engaging with others working and studying in Health Psychology.
Member Contributions: Opportunities to share research, professional experiences and perspectives with the wider Health Psychology community.