Description/Overview: There is an almost 17-year gap between the publication of research findings and implementation to practice. Such a long delay in translation greatly nullifies the impact of health behavior research and reduces the immediate gains to be had from innovative and significant scientific discovery. Multiple funding agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health have identified effectiveness research, diffusion research, dissemination and implementation sciences as key components of translation research In this symposium, we will describe the urgent need for dissemination and implementation (D & I) research as a way to optimize the translation of research findings to community or clinical practice. Researchers have successfully tested the efficacy of behavioral interventions to change behavior to promote health. However, there remains a significant gap between research findings and implementation in practice and community settings. For optimal health benefits, efficacious interventions must be tested for D & I.Not all efficacious research, however, will translate seamlessly into real-world settings. Therefore, D & I research, while imperative to move the science forward, must also be rigorous and theory-based. D & I evaluation models must account for both effectiveness testing, adaptation and reach in practice settings.