The aims of this book are (1) to illustrate the relevance of social and behavioral science to translation of genomics for health promotion, with a focus on interpersonal process as a fundamental translational element; and (2) to prepare social and behavioral scientists for collaborations with genomic scientists; and in turn, to prepare genomic scientists for collaborations with social and behavioral sciences.

The organizing premise of the book is that genomic information is unique from other health information in that it is inherently interpersonal in nature.  Thus genomic information offers social and behavioral scientists the opportunity to step out of individual-based, business-as-usual approaches to develop and evaluate innovations in health promotion interventions.