The Health Belief Model (HBM)

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The Health Belief Model (HBM) is one of the first theories of health behavior. It was developed in the 1950s by social psychologists in the U.S. Public Health Services to better understand the widespread failure of tuberculosis screening programs. Today it continues to be one of the most widely used theories. Research studies use it to explain and predict health behaviors seen in individuals. There is a broad range of health behaviors and subject populations that it is applied in. The concepts in the model involve perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. Focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals being studied create an understanding of their readiness to act on a health/behavioral factor based on their particular opinions on selected conditions. Several modifying factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or level of education, etc. can determine one’s opinion on their perceived threat of obtaining a disease such as lung cancer based on the severity of the triggers causing the illness. Their likelihood to change an opinion or behavior depends on their perceived benefits or certain barriers that may be out of their control. Interventions can be used to promote health behavior changes and aid in persuading or increasing awareness on a particular issue.
In the article, Can Realtor Education Reduce Lead Exposures for Vulnerable Populations?, researchers implemented a study design to see if a live education course will raise licensed real estate agents perceptions on lead-based paint being a hazard in renovated homes and allow them to act accordingly. Childhood lead poisoning continues to be an issue today despite the regulation...

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... did not determine their knowledge of lead-based paint standards within the home. I would have used this theory if I conducted the study as it is based off health promotion and the opinions and behavior of licensed real estate agents. The realtors may have a broad range of health beliefs separate from one another if they are not provided with the same educational training course on lead safety. The authors’ limitations included the small sample number. Out of 13,298 licensed real estate agents only 91 were used in the study. A significant number of unfinished surveys also arose (26% of participants) due to the mortgage crisis of 2007 and 2008. Many participants were unable to be reached. Knowledge retention and behavioral change were also assessed over a six-month duration, which may be a relatively short amount of time to base an understanding of certain subjects.

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