In what ways do health behaviours and societal mechanisms help or discourage individuals in assuming responsibility for their health? The contributors to this text examine the health behaviours of older adults and the ways in which these behaviours are affected by societal trends. The volume begins with a discussion of the personal attributes affecting health behaviours and responsible health care choices in older adults. Additional topics explored include: psychological factors in the prevention of cardiovascular disease; behavioural interventions such as the role of exercise in preventing chronic illness; and how societal structures such as reimbursement patterns and changes in health insurance affect initiation, change and maintenance of health behaviours.
