The originators of the HBM conducted major studies in the 1950's and 11960's meant to systematically explain preventive health behavior. Thus, like Lewin, the early researchers also included in the model a strong component of the behaving individual's perceptual world. Later, researchers included motivation as a major component. Also a strong concentration on the individual's current dynamics, believing that prior experience exercises influence only insofar as it is still represented in the individual's present state of affairs. The HBM attempts to predict health-related behavior in terms of certain belief patterns.
Emphasis is placed on the above described categories.
The model is used in explaining and predicting preventive health behavior, as well as sick-role and illness behavior. The HBM has been applied to all study all types of health behavior. Individual perceptions are factors that affect the perception of illness or disease, they deal with the importance of health to the individual, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity. Modifying factors include demographic variables, perceived threat, and cues to action. The combination of these factors causes a response that often manifests into action, provided it is accompanied by a rational alternative course of action.