The Health Belief Model is a psychological framework that helps explain and predict health-related behaviors. It suggests that individuals are more likely to engage in health-promoting actions if they believe they are susceptible to a health issue, perceive the issue as serious, and believe that taking a specific action would reduce their risk. Key components of the model include perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. By understanding these factors, health professionals can design effective interventions to encourage healthier behaviors, such as vaccinations or regular screenings, ultimately improving public health outcomes.