Health behaviours

Changes in causes of death throughout the twentieth century
can in part be explained in terms of changes of behaviour related
illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, cancers and HIV.
 This post first examines lay theories of health and
then explores theories of health behaviours and the extent to
which health behaviours can be predicted by health beliefs
such as the attributions about causes of health and
behaviour, perceptions of risk and the stages of change
model. In particular, the chapter describes the integration of
these different types of health beliefs in the form of models
(health belief model, protection motivation theory, theory of
reasoned action, theory of planned behaviour, health action
process approach). It explores problems with these models
and describes studies that address the gap between
behavioural intentions and actual behaviour. Finally, the
chapter explores how these theories can be used for
developing interventions designed to change behaviour.