Promoting health behavior change across different environments: universal principles of behavior modification at individual and community level

Health behavior theories have been expanded and developed in recent times to consider the different environments of human interactions (physical, social, affective, and digital), to contribute to the adoption of healthy behaviors and environment-protective behaviors. This chapter aimed to identify some of the most relevant health promotion principles and health theories, at different intervention levels, and reflect on its importance to health behavior change at an individual and a community level. Twenty-six models or theories were identified, organized into different levels of activity (individual, interpersonal, community, population), and analyzed according to four dimensions: key areas for change, theories or models’ designation and description, and fundamental concepts. The systematization of the theories and models here presented makes it easier to identify and adapt them to the type of environment under study, facilitating the adoption of strategies tailored to the identified needs.