What does the health belief model focus on to explain health behaviors?

The health belief model centers on the idea that individual health behaviors are primarily influenced by personal attitudes and beliefs regarding health. This model posits that people will take health-related action if they feel susceptible to a health problem, believe that the problem could have serious consequences, believe taking a specific action would reduce their susceptibility or severity, and believe the benefits of taking that action outweigh the costs or barriers. Hence, personal attitudes and beliefs about health risks and preventive actions play a crucial role in shaping behavior.

While societal norms and laws, economic resources, and public health initiatives may have an impact on health behaviors, the health belief model specifically emphasizes internal cognitive factors. By addressing personal perceptions, this model helps in understanding why individuals may or may not engage in health-promoting actions, making it particularly useful for designing targeted health interventions.