Health Behavior Change: From Evidence to Action

Yale University

About this Course

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Humans often fail to make rational decisions that affect their health. This course seeks to heighten understanding of the social and behavioral factors that contribute to health decisions and behaviors, with an ultimate goal of learning how to utilize these factors in improving public health efforts. Through a set of experiential learning exercises, students will learn to apply the science of health behavior change in their own lives. The course is appropriate for students interested in health care and public health, as well as individuals who are interested in learning to apply the science of behavior change to improve their personal wellbeing.

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Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

Identify social, behavioral, and psychological factors that influence health and health care.

Inform clinical care, public health programs, and health policy through results of empirical studies.

Utilize best practices from clinical psychology and public health to make informed health decisions and to optimize health behaviors.

Apply theory, methods, and research results in the social and behavioral sciences to public health practice and policy.

Skills you will gain

health practicesbehavioral psychologyPublic HealthMental Healthhealth psychology

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.63/5 (19 Ratings)

Marney White

Associate Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases) and of Psychiatry

5,297 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

Yale University

For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Welcome to the course

How do we define health? What social and behavioral factors contribute to health outcomes? How can we apply some of the key theories of behavior change to improve our nutritional, physical, and mental health?

2 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 55 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

12 videos

1.1 - Course Intro and Bio of Dr. White5m

1.2 - Course orientation6m

1.3 - Week 1 Introduction42s

1.4 - Definition of Health5m

1.5 - Challenges to embracing social and behavioral factors3m

1.6 - Leading Causes of Death12m

1.7 - The Health Belief Model3m

1.8 - Behaviorism7m

1.9 - Prompting3m

1.10 - Stimulus Control2m

1.11 - Boosting Behavioral Compliance1m

1.12 - Conclusion2m

4 readings

Contribute to the Science of Health Behavior Change!10m

Setting your preferences to see feedback from teaching staff10m

Week 1 Reading30m

Tell us about YOU!10m

1 practice exercise

Week 1 Quiz10m

Week

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Nutrition Part 1

How does our diet affect our health? What are some effective interventions for improving our dietary choices?

1 hour to complete

6 videos (Total 28 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

6 videos

2.1 - Week 2 Introduction42s

2.2 - The Importance of Diet4m

2.3 - Junk Food6m

2.4 - Nutrition Interventions4m

2.5 - Nutrition Intervention Studies8m

2.6 - Week 2 Conclusion4m

1 reading

Week 2 Reading30m

1 practice exercise

Week 2 Quiz10m

Week

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Nutrition Part 2

How do we define obesity? What role does personal responsibility play in nutritional health? How does food marketing affect our dietary choices?

1 hour to complete

7 videos (Total 39 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

7 videos

3.1 - Week 3 Introduction1m

3.2 - Obesity7m

3.3 - The Look Head Trial and Personal Responsibility8m

3.4 - Food Marketing6m

3.5 - Health Halos3m

3.6 - Optimal Defaults in Reducing Obesity10m

3.7 - Week 3 Conclusion1m

1 reading

Week 3 Reading30m

1 practice exercise

Week 3 Quiz10m

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Physical Activity Part 1

What are the health benefits of exercise? Why is it difficult to measure physical activity levels? How can we encourage more active lifestyles?

1 hour to complete

7 videos (Total 43 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

7 videos

4.1 - Week 4 Introduction51s

4.2 - What is Physical Activity11m

4.3 - Measuring Physical Activity10m

4.4 - Health Benefits of Exercise3m

4.5 - Physical Inactivity6m

4.6 - Media Analysis5m

4.7 - Week 4 Conclusion3m

1 reading

Week 4 Reading30m

1 practice exercise

Week 4 Quiz8m

Week

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Physical Activity Part 2

What factors contribute to regular physical activity? Why is it important for older adults to have active lifestyles? What works and doesn’t work when it comes to physical activity promotion?

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 44 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

9 videos

5.1 - Week 5 Introduction52s

5.2 Factors Contributing to Regular Physical Activity6m

5.3 - Physical Activity in Older Adults3m

5.4 - Physical Activity Interventions3m

5.5 - Social Interventions4m

5.6 - National Physical Activity Plan5m

5.7 - Challenges to Physical Activity Promotion4m

5.8 - Physical Inactivity as Target for Intervention11m

5.9 - Week 5 Conclusion1m

1 reading

Week 5 Reading30m

1 practice exercise

Week 5 Quiz6m

Week

Week 6

2 hours to complete

Mental Health Part 1

How prevalent are mental disorders? What is the impact of depression on both the individual and on society? What are some effective treatments for depression?

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 61 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

9 videos

6.1 - Week 6 Introduction1m

6.2 - What is Mental Health?10m

6.3 - Impact of Mental Health Disorders5m

6.4 - The Public Health Model and Risk Factor6m

6.5 - Prevention Issues5m

6.6 - Depression10m

6.7 - Impact of Depression and Treatment7m

6.8 - Effective Treatment and CBT12m

6.9 - Week 6 Conclusion2m

1 reading

Week 6 Reading30m

1 practice exercise

Week 6 Quiz10m

Week

Week 7

1 hour to complete

Mental Health Part 2

Can positive affect impact health? How can we diagnose and treat anxiety disorders? What role does stress play in our overall health?

1 hour to complete

7 videos (Total 37 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

7 videos

7.1 - Week 7 Introduction54s

7.2 - Positive Affect and Health9m

7.3 - The Impact of Humor7m

7.4 - Anxiety Disorders6m

7.5 - Stress and Health8m

7.6 - Stress Reduction Interventions3m

7.7 - Week 7 Conclusion1m

1 reading

Week 7 Reading30m

1 practice exercise

Week 7 Quiz10m

Week

Week 8

3 hours to complete

Conclusion

What happens when students undergo behavior change experiments? What can we learn from the research findings?

This course, Health Behavior Change: From Evidence to Action, has provided an introduction to behavioral theory, as it pertains to health and health care delivery. We explored the social and behavioral factors that contribute to health decisions and behaviors across three domains: nutrition, physical activity, and mental health. Most importantly, we engaged in personal behavior change projects that helped us understand the challenges in promoting and sustaining long-term behavior change at both the individual and global levels.

3 hours to complete

14 videos (Total 67 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

14 videos

8.1- Week 8 Introduction1m

8.2 - Introduction to Study 113m

8.3 - Nutrition Summary and Results of Study 14m

8.4 - Mental Health Summary and Results of Study 17m

8.5 - Physical Activity Summary and Results of Study 14m

8.6 - Limitations and Benefits of Study 15m

8.7 - Introduction to Study 26m

8.8 - Nutrition Summary and Results of Study 23m

8.9 - Mental Health Summary and Results of Study 25m

8.10 - Physical Activity Summary and Results of Study 22m

8.11 - Perceptions of Health - Study 23m

8.12 - Lessons Learned7m

8.13 - Week 8 Conclusion2m

8.14 - Final Words37s

4 readings

Invitation to personally contribute to the science of health behavior change!10m

Week 8 Reading30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

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Health Behavior Change: From Evidence to Action