Effective Health Behavior in Older Adults

In what ways do health behaviors and societal mechanisms help or discourage individuals in assuming responsibility for their health? Highly-esteemed and diverse contributors examine the health behaviors of older adults and the ways in which these behaviors are affected by societal trends.

The volume begins with a discussion of the personal attributes affecting health behaviors and responsible health care choices in older adults. Additional topics explored include: Psychosocial factors in the prevention of cardiovascular disease; behavioral interventions such as the role of exercise in preventing chronic illness; and how societal structures such as reimbursement patterns and changes in health insurance affect initiation, change, and maintenance of health behaviors.

This is a valuable resource for professionals and students interested in individual development, the study of health behavior and chronic disease, health economics, and social policy.

K. Warner Schaie, PhD, is the Evan Pugh Professor of Human Development and Psychology at Pennsylvania State University. He also holds an appointment as Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of Washington.

Howard Leventhal, PhD, is the Board of Governors Professor of Health Psychology and member of the Institute for Health and Department of Psychology at Rutgers University.

Sherry L. Willis, PhD, is a professor of human development at Pennsylvania State University.