Health and Behaviour

EDITORIAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIOUR Human behaviour is an important variable affecting human health Though it was a neglected area till late, recently growing interest of scientists in the biobehavioural science has given immense impetus to this discipline. Increasing industrialisation, changing social norms, changes in cultural values have created a major burden over the human behavioural adaptive capacities leading to emergence of various illnesses resulting from maladaptation, and thus an increasing awareness of this science. It has been recognized that it is possible to employ scientific methods to gain a better understanding of human behaviour. Studies have almost proved that 'life-style' affects the occurrence, prevalence and course of several disease states. Cigarette smoking, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, use of illicit drugs, certain dietary habits, reckless driving, nonadherence to effective medication regimen, and maladaptive responses to social pressures corstitute known be-havioural risk factors. Mental disorders and behaviourally determined life events (accidents, violence, poisoning) are responsible for a large proportion of the burden of illness all over the world. Some of the causes of morbidity and mortality have direct links with human behaviour. Excessive eating, smoking or drinking, rash driving , suicide and accidents etc. are some examples of the same. It is important to understand such a behaviour and modify it, so as to enhance health and eliminate the consequences of irrational behaviour. These behavioural factors identify high risk populations that might benefit especially from early disease detection and intervention efforts. For diseases in which behaviour has a causative role, interventions may be appropriate. However, it has become clear that individuals often find it very difficult to change their life styles even in the face of known risks to health. Strategies to effect these changes are still deficient. Further research on prevention must determine not only which behavioural changes are desirable but also how such changes can be adopted and maintained. Studies on coping mechanisms during periods of stress are important but still in their infancy and need more attention. Further applications of such basic learning principles as operant conditioning, social learning and cognitive problem solving merit pursuit in the years to come. Why do some people engage in excessive alcohol intake, excessive smoking or overeating, why are some able to control their addictions and others not, is still a mystery to be solved. Increased use of air travel, and increasing number of occupations requiring night duties have drawn attention towards …