The Health Behavioral Change Imperative

Health experts independently state that the most critical urban problems are preventable. This brings an added challenge to public health practitioners working in inner cities with predominately minority communities. In addition to deadly diseases - including transmittable diseases and violence, whether it is physical, sexual or child abuse, is the other predominant morbidity factor that urban areas confront. Because of these concerns, there is a need for health professionals working with the communities to critically examine health behaviour theories and prevention methodologies. Additionally, prevention practices and programmes need to be developed for community-based interventions to better serve the populations in need.