We were invited by Sage publishing to produce a 4 volume major work incorporating what we deemed to be the key and classic works based on a small delphi of health psychologists. This was produced in 2006 - see reference below - plus our introductory paragraph - this may give you a basis especially for classic papers. We still find it useful for introducing graduates new to the area - but of course it may need some updating. I will ask the publishers if they will permit me to attach the contents page.

best wishes

Marie Johnston

Weinman J, Johnston M & Molloy GJ. (2006) Health Psychology (4 volumes) Sage Major Work: London.

'The aim of these four volumes is to bring together previously published

articles that serve to define the current discipline of health psychology.

Papers were selected to enable readers to become familiar with the main

developments in the field and to understand the basis of current research and

practice. Thus we anticipate these four volumes to be useful to those in the field

wishing to extend their knowledge and to those new to this field, whether as

new investigators, or from a previous base in other areas of psychology or other

health-related disciplines.'

West R, The PRIME Theory of motivation as a possible foundation for addiction treatment. In J Henningfield, P Santora and W (Eds) Drug Addiction Treatment in the 21st Century: Science and Policy Issues. Baltimore: John\'s Hopkins University Press. (ISBN 978-0801886690) 2007

Thanks Marie and Bob.

Wonder what is the reach of a question asked in researchgate. Looking forward to more suggestions.

I'll make a pitch on this. Sorry for the late arrival - this question just caught my eye.

So, I propose that there is a something forgotten wing of "health psycholgy" considered broadly. This is the group of people who began with a particularly behavioral approach, such as Pomerleau and Brady, Bill fordyce, Stewart Agras, and others. This stream still exists today, in the hands of people on the clinical and public health sides of health psychology who are interested in approaches such as functional analytic psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, environmental manipulations, and so forth. I'll attach a chapter that talks a litte about this (although I have never attempted such a thing before!).

At this point in the development of health sciences and health psychology, I think it is necessary to include a book or articles that address Marmot and the WHO social determinants of health report. Students need to comprehend the socioeconomic gradient. Similarly, chapters from the Institute of Medicine Unequal Treatment should also be part of any health psychology course. Finally, I think Kriger, Berkman, Kawachi, et. al. social epidemiology is imprescindible. Otherwise, we continue to perpetuate a contextually disembodied health psychology.

Some already must have ask the same question before :)

"Essential readings in health psychology" Jane Ogden (ed.), 2008, Open University Press McGraw Hill. Nice choise of articles - theory, researches and reviews.

Without wanting to sound arrogant, you might want to consult my teaching website at: http://www.bestpractices-healthpromotion.com/ . Let me know what you think.

Thanks Michael for the link.

This is what I have now, in terms of a public face for the website. I use it to start every class. Never finished, suggestions welcome. http://healthpsychologycourse.wordpress.com

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Course being taught this semester but will change things according to students feedback and also in relation to main required book shortcomings.

I would like to add two nice review articles:

Adler & Stewart, Health disparities across the lifespan: Meaning, methods, and mechanisms, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2010

Matthews & Gallo, Psychological perspectives on pathways linking socioeconomic status and physical health, Annual Review of Psychology, 2011