In the United States, over two-thirds of all deaths are linked to daily choices, with preventable behaviors like smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol use contributing significantly. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and cancer have become the most common and costly health problems in the country.

Despite knowing healthier habits promote longer, more vibrant lives, many struggle to make lasting changes due to ingrained routines, environmental factors, and other barriers. To overcome these challenges, understanding the science behind our decisions and the strategies leading to sustainable health behavior change is crucial.

In this article, we'll explore why altering health behaviors is challenging, share practical tips for sustainable change, and discuss how digital health tools and behavioral economics can drive lasting improvements. We'll also showcase Wellth's innovative approach to improving patient adherence and reducing healthcare costs.

Why behavior change is hard: The science behind patient decisions

Changing health behaviors isn’t as simple as just making better choices. If it were, everyone would opt for the healthiest lifestyle without hesitation. The truth is, human behavior is complex, and adopting healthy behaviors requires more than just willpower.

The Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change, also known as the Stages of Change model, provides a framework for understanding this process. It outlines five stages individuals typically move through when modifying behavior:

1. Precontemplation: Not yet considering change
2. Contemplation: Aware of the need for change but ambivalent
3. Preparation: Intending to take action
4. Action: Actively making changes
5. Maintenance: Sustaining new behaviors over time

Many get stuck in the early health behavior change stages, struggling to transition from intention to action. It's important to recognize progression is not always linear; individuals may relapse and revisit earlier stages before achieving lasting change.

Behavior change for health is particularly challenging because it involves breaking ingrained habits and forming new ones. Whether it’s managing chronic diseases, improving nutrition, or adhering to a medication plan, the barriers to long-term change are significant. Psychological resistance, lack of motivation, and environmental triggers can all derail progress.

Systematic reviews of behavior change interventions show that while some strategies work in controlled settings, real-life application is often inconsistent. That’s why understanding behavior change techniques and using effective behavior change resources can significantly improve a person’s quality of life and overall health status.

Breaking through barriers: Practical tips for sustainable change

1. Reframe health goals to make them achievable
   Reframe health goals to focus on small, manageable progress. Rather than setting a vague goal like “exercise more,” try “walk for 15 minutes after dinner.” Other simple health behavior changes include swapping sugary snacks for fruits, using nicotine patches, and avoiding screens before bed.
2. Use incentives wisely—Why the right rewards matter
   Incentives, whether financial, social, or personal, can help reinforce new habits. However, the key to success lies in aligning incentives with intrinsic motivation. People stick with behavior change when it feels rewarding beyond just external perks.
3. Make self-care automatic through habit formation
   Make healthy behaviors automatic by using cues, like brushing your teeth as a reminder to take medication, helps build sustainable habits through daily engagement. Behavioral economics shows that simplifying actions and making them automatic increases the likelihood of sustained engagement and long-term adherence.
4. Personalization: One-size-fits-all doesn’t work in behavior change
   Everyone’s health journey is unique. Behavior change techniques that work for one person might not work for another. Tailoring interventions based on individual needs improves engagement and long-term success.
5. Autonomy support in health behavior change
   People are more likely to embrace change when they feel in control. Providing choices and emphasizing self-efficacy can make behavior change interventions more effective.

How digital health and behavioral economics drive lasting change

Technology is changing the game when it comes to health behavior change, making it easier for people to stick to their health goals. Digital tools, like the daily motivation app Wellth, use behavioral economics to nudge individuals toward healthier habits in a way that's practical and effective. It taps into rewards, reminders, and personalized coaching to help users stay on track.

Incentives are powerful motivators. Offering rewards for achieving health milestones encourages users to keep pushing forward, even during challenging moments. Plus, regular reminders make it easier to stay consistent, especially on busy days when it’s easy to forget.

By blending technology with behavioral strategies, digital health tools like Wellth increase the chances of long-term success, helping people stay committed to their health journey. This innovative approach leads to improved outcomes and a more proactive stance on personal well-being.

Practical tips for healthcare providers and health plans

Healthcare providers and health plans are essential in supporting sustainable health behavior change. Here’s how they can make an impact:

• Integrate behavior change resources: Incorporate motivation programs into patient care, granting individuals access to practical tools.
• Use data-driven approaches: tailor interventions to patient needs by leveraging data.
• Incorporate behavior change theory: Integrating behavioral science principles into treatment plans helps patients transition through health behavior change stages more effectively.
• Address social determinants of health: Consider factors that make it easier for patients to adopt healthy behaviors, like healthy food or social support.
• Encourage digital engagement: Utilize digital health tools like Wellth to support adherence and track progress.

The Wellth Model: Transforming patient adherence and healthcare costs

The Wellth model proves that behavior change techniques can be both effective and scalable. By leveraging digital engagement, Wellth helps reduce health care costs while improving health status.

Whether it’s medication adherence, lifestyle changes, or chronic disease management, Wellth provides the daily motivation patients need to succeed. So, what are you waiting for? Click here to let Wellth help you get started.