Health Belief Model

Paper Summary:

The Health Belief Model is a psychological health promotion method that locates the problem and allows a solution before the onset of the problem. Osteoporosis is a silent disease and, thus, clinically dangerous. This paper examines how, by perceiving the problem through the HBM, the physicians would predict the barriers and the benefits and allow for a measure of control in the spreading of the disease. It explains how, in a clinical setting, the disease could be assessed through questionnaires and personal history taking, and the at-risk population could be motivated to act in a manner that would allow control of the disease. It concludes that the problem is preventable and, thus, an excellent component for the HBM.

From the Paper:

"By focusing on the relationship between the practices and the behaviors of health services it aimed to create a theoretical presentation of the same. Later it was revised to motivate the general health for the 'purpose of distinguishing illness and sick-role behavior from health behavior'. [Brown, 1999] The HBM is essentially a concept that integrates psychological motivators with physical and social settings. Its said to have been initiated in 1952 by three socio-psychologists, Godfrey Hochbaum, Stephen Kegels and Irwin Rosenstock. During the 1950's the society realized a need to prevent disease rather than cure it. The US Public Health Service was more concerned with preventing outbreaks which would have a nationwide impact than with trying to solve and cure the symptoms that individuals came up with. The HBM was created under the influence of Kurt Lewin who suggested that the perceiver could determine the actions of the people of the world. Through a series of studies over a decade the originators of the HBM conducted systematic studies in order to present a mode of behavior that would help prevent health problems. Consider that in 1952 Godfrey Hochbaum presented the first research study that would provide the identification of symptoms pointing towards a chest x-ray in order for the early diagnosis of TB. [Brown, 1999]"

More papers on Health Belief Model:

• Research Paper # 112001 : "Obesity and the Health Belief Model"
• Analytical Essay # 147104 : "Prenatal Care Based on Social Marketing Concepts and the Health Belief Model (HBM)"
• Essay # 26336 : "Attitudes toward Health and Wellness Behaviors"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: