Running head: HEALTH BELIEF MODEL Health Belief Model Student’s Name Here National University 1 HEALTH BELIEF MODEL 2 Health Belief Model Introduction The Health Belief Model is a model that, “assumes that people will engage in a health behavior or take a recommended action when they believe that doing so can reduce a threat that is both likely and would have severe consequences” (Glanz et al., 2015, p. 68). This model was originally developed in regards to tuberculosis and why patients were not utilizing the available screenings for early detections (Glanz et al., 2015). However, this method can be used to get people to engage in screening procedures. By using this model, interventions, evaluation, and modifications can be made when a health behavior is deemed necessary for health behavior change (Glanz, 2015). I will be applying the Health Belief Model to my chosen health behavior: reducing overall saturated fat consumption in order to prevent cardiovascular disease. Perceived Susceptibility The first construct identified in the Health Belief Model (HBM) is perceived susceptibility. This component of the HBM identifies the belief of the person in their chances of getting an illness (Glanz et al., 2015). This component is significant in the HBM because the model identifies how much the person feels at risk for a disease or illness, which results in their action of getting screened or not. My chosen health behavior is to reduce saturated fat intake to decrease risk in developing heart disease. My belief in developing heart disease because of saturated fat consumption is high. I feel that I am susceptible to developing heart disease because of my current diet, age, biological sex, and family history. I know that my diet can be modified (which is why I chose this health behavior), however, I can not modify the other risk factors. These make me feel even more susceptible, or at risk, of developing cardiovascular disease. HEALTH BELIEF MODEL 3 Perceived Severity Perceived severity refers to, “the belief about the seriousness of contracting an illness or condition or leaving it untreated, including physical consequences and social consequences” (Glanz et al., 2015, p. 77). When a person is aware of their susceptibility, they must understand the physical consequences such as disability or pain that is accompanied with that disease or illness (Glanz et al., 2015). Someone must also consider the social consequences with regard to the seriousness of contracting a disease or illness. Social consequences may include losing the ability to work, losing current relationships with friends or partners, and losing the confidence to live independently. Thus, seeking preventative care would be an option to treat or prevent that disease from developing further if the patient at risk feels strongly of how the disease may affect them. The combination of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity are considered ones overall perceived threat (Glanz et al., 2015). In reference to my health behavior change, I definitely view heart disease as a serious illness/disease. There are various physical consequences such as high blood pressure, inability to perform daily tasks or engage in physical activity, inability to hike or to engage in other activities with my family, physical pain, and even death due to a heart attack. I also believe that there are various social consequences if I were to be diagnosed with heart disease. Most of all, I would fear not being able to work and to go to school. I love my job, and my husband and I have to have a dual income in order to support our lifestyle and our children. If I cannot go to school, I will not be able to get a promotion or higher paying job, and I will not set a good example for my daughters. Perceived Benefits HEALTH BELIEF MODEL 4 The construct known as perceived benefits refers to the positive outcomes that may occur if an individual performs the recommended health behavior (Glanz et al., 2015). For a person who is not aware of the benefits of getting preventative screening, a physician or peer may inform the person of the perceived benefits especially if they are likely to develop the condition in the future. According to Glanz et al. (2015), these benefits are “beliefs that are positive features and advantages of a recommended action to reduce threat” (p. 77). In the HBM, it is ideal that one’s perceived benefits are weighted more than the perceived barriers (Glanz et al., 2015). There are several benefits associated with reducing my intake of saturated fat. First and foremost (and most broadly) I will be overall more healthy. Additionally, I will reduce the risk of CVD. I will lower my blood pressure into a normal range, and lower overall cholesterol. I will also have more energy overall, and be able to engage in more physical activities and hiking with my family. I will feel better about myself and the way that I look, and ultimately my family will be more healthy, too, since I will be cooking healthier meals. Perceived Barriers Perceived barriers are obstacles that make it difficult in taking any actions to the health behavior change (Glanz et al., 2015). There are negative consequences to an obstacle, which results in the person not having the chance to take action towards the behavior change (Glanz et al., 2015). Finding strategies in order to eliminate the barrier helps the person take steps forward to fulfilling the action of changing the health behavior. In the HBM, it is ideal for there to be few barriers, and to work on ways to reduce perceived barriers (Glanz et al., 2015). HEALTH BELIEF MODEL 5 With regard to my health behavior, there are several barriers that I see causing problems or preventing me from reducing my saturated fat. First of all, my friends and I like to meet for Happy Hour at a local bar a few times a week in order to relieve stress and to catch up. We always order and share many (high fat) appetizers. This is a barrier because it will be difficult for me to cancel or not show up and let my friends down. Another barrier is taste. I love the taste of take-out and high fat/fried foods. I also love fast food. A third barrier is time. It is difficult to find the time to cook meals or to prepare lunches. Cues to Action Cues to action are things that remind an individual to engage in the health behavior (Glanz et al., 2015). This makes it more likely that someone will perform the behavior. There are two types of cues to actions. The first cues to action would be internal (Glanz et al., 2015). These are internal factors such as symptoms that may trigger a response to the behavior change (Glanz et al., 2015). In my example for reducing saturated fat intake, I may experience heart arrhythmias, chest pain, shortness of breath or other physical ailments. These internal cues may trigger a reminder for me to change my diet and/or order more healthy, lower fat foods when I am eating out at restaurants. The second cues to action are considered external (Glanz et al., 2015). External cues would be factors in our environment that can prompt an action (Glanz et al., 2015). An example would be the nutrition information on the menus when I am eating at a restaurant, or the “lighter fare” section of the menu that has lower fat and calorie options. In addition, if I were to go to the grocery store and buy healthy snacks, and rid my pantry of high fat options, whenever I open the pantry I will remember my behavior change and this will cause me to eat healthier. HEALTH BELIEF MODEL 6 Self-Efficacy Self-efficacy is a construct that is described as the confidence level a person has in successfully accomplishing the behavior (Glanz et al., 2015). Self-efficacy is one of the more important constructs because someone is more likely to perform a health behavior if they know how, feel confident, and have the skills to do so (Glanz et al., 2015). The behavior change in my case would be to reduce eating pork, beef, and chicken because it contains levels of saturated fat intake. My confidence level is not high because of the level of control I have of what we eat at home. I would need to convince the people that cook in my home to use healthier alternatives such as fish and more vegetables instead of large consumptions of meat, or take on these responsibilities. However, I am confident to say that I can reduce my intake with my portion and what I choose to eat. Buying more fish for my family to cook can contribute to this behavior change. Conclusion According to Glanz et al., (2015), the Health Belief Model is used to predict, “ Whether and why people will take action to prevent, detect, or control illness conditions (p. 76). By following the constructs or components broken down throughout this paper, identifying the reasoning behind a persons’ action can be discovered allowing room for interventions to take place and steer the patient towards a direction of prevention and treatment for illnesses in the future. HEALTH BELIEF MODEL 7 References Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: theory, research, and practice. San Francisco, California: John Wiley & Sons.
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