What does the health belief model predict?

The health belief model predicts an individual's likelihood of adopting a health behavior based on their perceptions of personal vulnerability to a health issue and their belief in the effectiveness of a specific behavior to mitigate that risk. This model emphasizes two key concepts: the perceived threat, which includes perceived susceptibility (the belief about the likelihood of experiencing a health issue) and perceived severity (the belief about the seriousness of the health issue), as well as the perceived benefits and barriers of the recommended health behavior.

By integrating these perceptions, the health belief model helps to explain why individuals may or may not engage in certain health-promoting behaviors, making it a valuable tool for understanding health-related decision-making. Thus, the focus on personal threat perception and belief in effectiveness aligns perfectly with the correct answer.

The other options do not capture the essence of what the health belief model addresses. The second option speaks to broader psychological responses to health crises rather than the specific predictions about health behaviors. The third option about health communication strategies does not align with the focus of the model, which is rooted more in individual belief systems than in communication frameworks. The last option is focused on genetic factors, which are not part of the health belief model's framework, as it specifically deals with psychosocial factors influencing health