Essentials of health behavior : social and behavioral theory in public health/ Mark Edberg, PhD, Associate Professor, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: links between health and behavior -- Health issues and behavior -- Social-behavior theory and its roots -- Individual health behavior theories -- Social, cultural, and environmental theories (part I) -- Social, cultural, and environmental theories (part II) -- Multilevel theories -- The new frontier: behavior epigenetics or how nurture shapes nature and vice versa -- Doing something about it: the ecological perspective and the move from theory to practice -- Communities and populations as the focus for health promotion programs -- Application of theory: schools and worksites -- Application of theory: communications campaigns -- Application of theory: global health -- Application of theory: high-risk and special populations -- Evaluation: what is it? why is it needed? how does it relate to theory? -- Culture, diversity, and health disparities: are current theories relevant? -- Career choices and social/behavioral theory in public health: a brief introduction.

"Health promotion, education, and prevention programs ultimately focus on changing health behavior. Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavioral Theory in Public Health, Third Edition provides the groundwork for understanding, assessing, and effectively applying theories of human behavior within the practice of public health. In clear and accessible language, this text provides the student with a background of the kinds of social and behavioral theories that guide our understanding of health related behavior and form the background for health promotion and prevention efforts. Filled with real life examples and profiles, the text explores some of the ways in which these theories and approaches are used in applied health promotion efforts. Key Features: Introduces students to the relationship between behavior and a selection of major health issues. Provides an introductory background to the kinds of social and behavioral theories that guide our understanding of health related behavior and form the background for health promotion and prevention efforts. Explores some of the ways in which these theories and approaches are used in applied health promotion efforts Since the publication of the second edition, health promotion theory has continued to evolve. The third edition keeps pace with developments such as rapidly evolving social media, increased global population diversity, and emerging epidemics, making the book useful and current. The Second Edition offers: Updates data and examples of application and practice throughout. Updated descriptions of selected theories to reflect more current distinctions in the constructs. New theoretical frameworks and expanded discussions of current theory such as the Integrated Model of Behavioral Prediction. An expanded discussion of the social norms construct. Additional material on social network theory. New discussion of Dissemination/Implementation research frameworks. New coverage of the evolution of Behavior Change Communications. Updated instructor ancillary materials."-- Provided by publisher.

"The first edition of Essentials of Health Behavior: Social and Behavioral Theory in Public Health, was published in 2007. It has been sold and used widely. It was then revised in 2014 to add updated material and a chapter on multi-level theories. Since the 2nd Edition, health promotion theory has continued to evolve, and new circumstances have arisen that need to be addressed, including rapidly evolving social media, increased population diversity (globally), and rapid epidemics such as Ebola. The current edition needs to be augmented with these newer developments, in order to keep the book useful and current."-- Provided by publisher.