Health Promotion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Health Promotion - Research Paper Example Moreover, the consideration of the change programs and the various initiatives implemented to reduce these factors in a health promotion program. The health belief model (HBM) was developed in the 1950s by some social psychologists to explain why some individuals do not use health services such as screening and immunization. The theory has advanced to address newer concerns in detection and prevention (for instance influenza vaccines and mammography screening) as well as lifestyle mannerisms such as injury prevention and risk behaviors associated with sexual tendencies (Noar, Chabot & Zimmerman, 2008). The HBM hypothesizes that individuals beliefs on whether or not they are at risk for a health problem or disease, and their acumens on the benefits of taking action to avoid the risk, influences their willingness to take action. For instance, if an individual feels that their lifestyle may lead to diseases such as obesity, or diabetes, they may take the necessary actions such as eating healthier foods or becoming physically active to prevent those risks from occurring. The key concepts of the theory are: perceived severity and susceptibility, perceived benefits obtained from the action, perceived barriers to the action, cues to action and self-efficacy. HBM is often applied to asymptomatic and prevention-related health concerns such as the early detection of cancer and hypertension screening where opinions are as important as or more important than obvious symptoms. It is also relevant to interventions to lessen risk factors for cardiovascular disease. According to the theory therefore, people indulge in health programs only if the perceived risks and problems are severe. They then stop the health programs once the risks have reduced. The Trans-theoretical model (TTM) was developed from studies of the processes of change in psychotherapy and smoking cessation (De Vries & Mudde2008). The