Health Education 475

HLTH 475: Health Behavior Change

Prerequisite:  HLTH 300, 56 credit hours

Credit Hours: (3)

Provides an in-depth study of a variety of health behavior change theories that are used in health interventions. Students shall use the constructs of selected theories to design lesson plans for a behavioral intervention.

 

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

This course provides the groundwork for development of behavior change interventions. Different behavior change theories will be compared and contrasted, and the utility of these theories for different health behavior programs will be discussed. This course is necessary to provide the background knowledge students will need to develop interventions in the health program planning and evaluation course.

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Students shall acquire knowledge and skills necessary to enter into the capstone course (HLTH 485 Health Program Planning and Evaluation) through lecture, evaluation of existing health programs using behavior change theories, and group discussion.

 

Goals and Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students shall be able to:

  • Describe the scope of health education and health promotion in changing health outcomes in schools, communities, and the nation.
  • Describe the relationship between concepts, constructs, and variables.
  • Describe the various constructs involved in health behavior change theories and models, including (but not limited to): The Health Belief Model, The Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change, The Theory of Reasoned Action (and the Theory of Planned Behavior), Social Cognitive Theory, Social Networks and Social Support, Community Organization and Community Building, Diffusion of Innovations, Social Marketing, and selected Ecological Models.
  • Compare and contrast the utility of each of the theories or models in changing selected health behaviors.
  • Design lessons that target theoretical constructs to change health behavior.

 

Assessment Measures

Student learning will be assessed through one or more of the following methods:

  • Exams
  • Group assignments
  • Projects
  • Presentations

 

Other Course Information

None

 

Review and Approval

April 2006 Reviewed by Beverly Zeakes

May, 2011