Changing health-related behavior has various difficulties, as we learned through this course. Various beliefs help us and also bother us at the same time. We learned how to overcome the difficulties this week. I will share my thinking about improving health-related behavior at the population level in this assignment.
One of the effective methods for improving health-related behavior at the population level (especially in my country) is that spreading new healthy customs as if it is common sense strategically, with influencers and mass media. Ogden (2019) described that We could change our behavior by watching behaviors we want to copy in explaining learning theory. He insisted that even people we see from a distance in the media influence us. I recognize I have been getting influenced by these elements unconsciously. Japanese people are known for worrying about what other people think more than necessary. Therefore, they take action if they hear everybody else does it, even if it requires much effort. Taking advantage of its special properties, we can improve our health-related behavior.
The second method I want to suggest is raising the prices of unhealthy stuff such as cigarettes. "Objective Increasing the price of cigarettes reduces consumption, with a global price elasticity of approximately −0.4"(Gardner, et al., 2010, p.331). The Japanese government raised tobacco prices a little in practice. My senior took advantage of this opportunity and trying to stop smoking due to financial reasons. If I save money on tobacco, in the future, it will reach a big amount. Many a little makes a mickle. They can be healthy and can use the money for other things that can enjoy their families or friends. Additionally, many white-collar workers pass out on the road from too much drinking every Friday in Japan. I wonder what if the government decides to raise alcohol order prices after drinking a couple of alcohol to decrease the bad culture. (This is my own idea.) Of course, all of us have different alcohol tolerance. But all we can say that drinking too much is not good for our health. I still cannot drink for age, but I want to enjoy drinking for a long time with a healthy body.
I described my thinking about the strategies for improving health-related behavior at the population level through this assignment. First, spread new healthy customs as common sense strategically with influencers and mass media. It will succeed in encouraging Japanese people to change their thinking and behavior. Secondly, raise the prices of something unhealthy stuff such as cigarettes and alcohol. Financial circumstances bring us a big motivation to change our customs.
References
Ogden, J. (2019). The Psychology of Health and Illness: an open access course. Retrieved from http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/841757/1/__homes.surrey.ac.uk_home_.System_Desktop_The Psychology of Health and Illnessbk.pdf
Gardner, B., & West, R. (2010). Public support in England for raising the price of cigarettes to fund tobacco control activities. Tobacco Control, 19(4), 331-333. Retrieved from https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/19/4/331.short
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