Jumpstart to Effective Health Promotion Programmes: Models and Theories of Health Behaviours

Explore essential health behaviour models to build stronger health programmes

From individual health choices to widespread public health programmes, how people adopt and sustain behaviours is shaped by more than knowledge alone.

On this four-week course, you’ll explore the theories and models that underpin effective health promotion—and learn how to use them to make a difference.

Explore how social influence shapes health decisions

Begin with interpersonal theories such as Social Influence Theory and Social Cognitive Theory, examining how observation, role models, and environmental reinforcements affect our behaviours.

You’ll reflect on case studies and apply the concepts to scenarios that reflect real-world health challenges.

Understand how beliefs and motivation affect behaviour

You’ll then examine intrapersonal theories, including the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

These models help explain why individuals may or may not take certain health actions, even when aware of the risks. You’ll consider how beliefs, attitudes, and perceived control influence decision-making.

Apply models to design impactful health programmes

Next, explore broader frameworks such as the Transtheoretical Model and the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. You’ll learn how these models support behavioural change over time and across populations.

With practical examples and exercises, you’ll finish the course with the tools to select and apply relevant theories in your work.

This course is ideal for public health and healthcare professionals looking to design theory-informed health promotion programmes. It also suits learners interested in behavioural health, social work, or public wellbeing initiatives.

This course is ideal for public health and healthcare professionals looking to design theory-informed health promotion programmes. It also suits learners interested in behavioural health, social work, or public wellbeing initiatives.

• Describe the main ideas in each model or theory.
• Explain behaviors that are relevant to the constructs in each model or theory.
• Compare the similarity and differences across models or theories.
• Analyze factors of health behaviors from a multi-level perspective.
• Identify suitable models or theories for target health problems.