December 2, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Assistant Professor of Health Education Laura Forbes, Ph.D., has been elected to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Division Board for certification of health-education specialists. Forbes will serve a five-year term beginning in January 2010.

Forbes, an assistant professor in the UAB School of Education Department of Human Studies, teaches courses in personal and mental health, stress management, drug use and abuse, and program planning and administration of health programs.

Her research focus is health promotion, education and behavior, with a special emphasis on alcohol prevention in higher education. She also is the chair-elect to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Coalition, which is a subcommittee of the American College Health Association. 

The NCHEC mission is to improve the practice of health education and serve the public and the profession of health education by promoting professional development, strengthening professional preparation and practice and certifying health-education specialists.

About the UAB Department of Human Studies

The UAB Department of Human Studies, housed in the School of Education, offers programs in counselor education, health education, community health, physical education, exercise science and fitness leadership.