What is a key feature of the health belief model in public health?

A key feature of the health belief model is its focus on individual beliefs regarding health behaviors and their ability to change those behaviors. This model posits that an individual’s perception of the severity of a health issue, their susceptibility to it, the benefits of taking a specific action, and the barriers to that action will greatly influence their decision to change health behaviors. By supporting the individual belief in their ability to change behavior, the health belief model recognizes the importance of personal agency in health decisions.

While the incorporation of social determinants of health, the importance of health data, and policy-making based on health metrics are also significant factors in public health, they do not specifically embody the core tenets of the health belief model. Instead, this model is particularly centered on understanding how a person’s beliefs impact their health actions, making option C the correct choice.