Health Belief Model and Helmet Safety, Essay Example

Wearing a helmet can help to prevent many serious injuries associated with motorcycle accidents. Even though this is common knowledge, many bikers choose not to wear helmets. Many bikers, especially individuals in the South Western region of the United States, feel that helmets are unnecessary and any law which requires them to wear a helmet is impinging on their basic rights and freedoms.  The Health Belief Model (HBM) can encourage bikers to wear helmets by educating them about the benefits of helmet safety on a more individual level.

While bikers understand that there are risks involved with riding a motorcycle, they may not think that a severe accident could actually happen to them (perceived susceptibility).  Even if an accident did occur, then they would most likely be unharmed.  Or even if there was a serious accident, wearing a helmet would not prevent them from breaking their neck, or another serious injury (perceived severity).

Bikers must understand that the benefits of wearing a helmet outweigh the perceived benefits not wearing one (perceived benefits).  Many bikers feel that wearing a helmet is uncomfortable and may cause an accident because they can obstruct both the field of vision and the hearing for bikers (perceived barriers).  Bikers are not incorrect in their assumptions; these concerns are valid.  But many have not had the opportunity to be exposed to the benefits of helmet safety, the severity of head trauma, and how a helmet can protect against more serious injuries.  One method of providing education is to require a separate helmet safety course in order to obtain a motorcycle license.  Another method is to offer courses improving motorcycle-riding skills, as opposed to helmet safety.  Instead of a typical lecturer, the class could be taught by an actual biker who wears a helmet.  Or have police officers who wear helmets and must be skilled at chasing suspects at high speeds, provide education (cues to action).  Once riders understand the benefits of wearing a helmet, then they will be more likely to wear their helmets on their own (self-efficacy).

References

National Cancer Institute. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health. (2005). Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion practice (05-3896)