What does the Health Belief Model focus on?

The Health Belief Model primarily focuses on individual perceptions regarding health issues and the factors that motivate people to take action toward their health. It posits that a person's likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behavior is influenced by their beliefs about a health issue, including perceived susceptibility to a health problem, perceived severity of the problem, perceived benefits of taking action, and perceived barriers to taking action.

In this model, the emphasis is on understanding how a person interprets their own health risks and benefits, which leads to a decision to either act or not act regarding their health. This focus allows healthcare providers and educators to tailor interventions that address these perceptions to encourage healthier behaviors. This makes individual perceptions a critical aspect of the Health Belief Model, as they serve as the key motivators behind health-related actions.