The Health Belief Model (HBM) has been a central framework for understanding health behaviors since its development in the 1950s. A critical review of 46 HBM studies (1974–1984) shows strong empirical support for the model, with findings from prospective studies as favorable as those from retrospective research. The most significant HBM dimension across all study designs and behaviors was "perceived barriers," while "perceived susceptibility" was a stronger contributor to preventive health behaviors (PHB) than sick-role behaviors (SRB), and the reverse was true for "perceived benefits." "Perceived severity" had the lowest significance ratios, though it was strongly related to SRB. The HBM is recommended for inclusion in health education programming, with suggestions for further research. The HBM includes dimensions such as perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers. These dimensions were examined in various studies, including those on influenza vaccination, genetic screening, breast self-examination, and high blood pressure screening. Studies showed that "perceived barriers" were the most influential in predicting health behaviors, while "perceived susceptibility" was more important for PHB than SRB. "Perceived benefits" were more relevant for SRB than PHB. The HBM was also applied to risk-factor behaviors, with studies showing that "perceived barriers" were significantly related to preventive health behaviors. However, the study's retrospective design and limited sample size posed challenges in interpretation. In the context of sick-role behaviors, studies on antihypertensive regimens showed that the HBM could improve patient compliance. A tutorial based on the HBM improved physicians' understanding of patient compliance, leading to better adherence to medication and improved blood pressure control. However, the study's complex design and lack of detailed compliance criteria limited its conclusions. Another study found that "perceived severity" and "perceived side effects" were significantly associated with medication adherence, while "perceived efficacy" was related to blood pressure control. The study also highlighted the need for further research on the HBM's application to health behaviors. Overall, the HBM remains a valuable tool for understanding and predicting health behaviors, with continued research needed to refine its application.The Health Belief Model (HBM) has been a central framework for understanding health behaviors since its development in the 1950s. A critical review of 46 HBM studies (1974–1984) shows strong empirical support for the model, with findings from prospective studies as favorable as those from retrospective research. The most significant HBM dimension across all study designs and behaviors was "perceived barriers," while "perceived susceptibility" was a stronger contributor to preventive health behaviors (PHB) than sick-role behaviors (SRB), and the reverse was true for "perceived benefits." "Perceived severity" had the lowest significance ratios, though it was strongly related to SRB. The HBM is recommended for inclusion in health education programming, with suggestions for further research. The HBM includes dimensions such as perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers. These dimensions were examined in various studies, including those on influenza vaccination, genetic screening, breast self-examination, and high blood pressure screening. Studies showed that "perceived barriers" were the most influential in predicting health behaviors, while "perceived susceptibility" was more important for PHB than SRB. "Perceived benefits" were more relevant for SRB than PHB. The HBM was also applied to risk-factor behaviors, with studies showing that "perceived barriers" were significantly related to preventive health behaviors. However, the study's retrospective design and limited sample size posed challenges in interpretation. In the context of sick-role behaviors, studies on antihypertensive regimens showed that the HBM could improve patient compliance. A tutorial based on the HBM improved physicians' understanding of patient compliance, leading to better adherence to medication and improved blood pressure control. However, the study's complex design and lack of detailed compliance criteria limited its conclusions. Another study found that "perceived severity" and "perceived side effects" were significantly associated with medication adherence, while "perceived efficacy" was related to blood pressure control. The study also highlighted the need for further research on the HBM's application to health behaviors. Overall, the HBM remains a valuable tool for understanding and predicting health behaviors, with continued research needed to refine its application.