The purpose of the course is to help participants assess current health practices, determine high-risk behaviors, and understand empirically tested tools and strategies by utilizing the concepts of health behavior change to modify high-risk behavior thereby lowering the risk of acquiring diseases.

In addition, the identification of low risk health promoting behaviors and reinforcing them for health maintenance is another aim of this course.

The objectives of the course are as follows:

• Teach coping skills to facilitate problem solving.
• Acquaint participants with various theories of human behavior.
• Provide exercises for developing skills in self-analysis of health behavior.
• Provide concrete information on achieving specific goals.

Self directed behavior techniques could be applied to improve health by promoting health related activities related to diet, exercise, stress management, tobacco cessation etc.
Participants are encouraged to engage in a behavior change (self-improvment) project.