It is important to understand what
health behavior is, before analyzing its scope for the public. In the field of
public health, one of the most vital elements is the health behavior of people.
By health behavior, it means how people are conscious about their health, as
well as, well-being, and what behaviors do they adopt to remain fit and healthy
(Edberg, 2020). It has been observed that there are so
many behavioral elements, which are critical in keeping people healthy, and if
those behaviors are not adopted, then they can lead to various fatalities.
Health behavior can save the life of an individual, or it can be one of the
causes of death. One good example to understand health behavior is the use of
tobacco and alcohol. If a person does not use tobacco or alcohol, and he/she
has developed this behavior to avoid tobacco alcohol, and drugs, then such
health-related behavior will help the person to live a healthy life, as
compared to those, who use these things (Conner & Norman, 2017)
Keeping the element of health
behavior in mind, it can be said that its scope is getting wider in this
technological era because people are able to get access to health behavior
information on an immediate basis. There are wearable tracking tech devices, which
are getting more common all around the world. The people wear these devices,
and they are able to track their burning of calories, their exercise routine,
steps of their walk, or running. The people also get reminders about drinking
water or sitting for too long without any physical activity. They also keep an
eye on their heart rate. So, such devices and technology are getting things to
an advanced level, where people are able to get immediate health
behavior-related information, which was earlier just available to them through
healthcare practitioners. This real-time information is a great indication for
people to keep an eye on their health behaviors so that they can deal with
health-related risks and issues. These devices and technologies can be extremely
helpful in helping people to change their health-related behavior to remain fit
and healthy (Glanz, Rimer, & Viswanath, 2015)
It is observed that the health
behavior of people can be changed by using modern devices, as well as, using
the essence of social support from social networks. Social networks are the
people, who have relations to the people, suffering from any health and
stress-related issues. If people suffering from stress and health issues do get
social support from people around them, then it would be easier for them to
change their health behavior in a positive manner, otherwise, it would become a
monumental task to achieve. If patients dealing with any kind of disease will
have a positive perception of getting social support, they will be more willing
to change their behavior so that they can fight with the disease. For instance,
if someone is addicted to drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, he/she can’t get out of
it, without the support of people around him/her. The social support is
indispensable to cure such people so that they come out from a bad health
condition to a good health condition (Harvey & Alexander, 2013)
References of The Scope of Health Behavior, Social Support and Health,
Stress/coping
Conner, M., & Norman, P. (2017). Health
behaviour: Current issues and challenges. Psychology & Health, 32(8),
895-906.
Edberg, M. (2020). Essentials of Health Behavio:
Social and Behavioral Theory in Public Health (3rd Edition ed.). Jones
& Bartlett Learning.
Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (2015).
HEALTH BEHAVIOR: THEORY, RESEARCH, AND PRACTICE (5th Edition ed.).
Jossey-Bass - A Wiley Brand.
Harvey, I. S., & Alexander, K. (2013). Perceived
Social Support and Preventive Health Behavioral Outcomes among Older Women. J
Cross Cult Gerontol., 27(3), 275–290.