What is the primary health belief system commonly held in the United States?

The biomedical health belief system is the primary framework for understanding health and illness in the United States. This system focuses on the physical and physiological aspects of health, emphasizing scientific and medical interventions to treat diseases and disorders. It is rooted in the understanding that health issues can be diagnosed, treated, and managed through medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and surgical procedures.

In this model, health is often viewed in terms of biological factors, with a strong emphasis on pathology and the mechanisms of disease. This scientific approach prioritizes evidence-based practices, and healthcare professionals trained in this system utilize diagnostics, laboratory tests, and rigorous research to inform their practice. The success of this approach in clinical settings has established it as the dominant belief system in the U.S. healthcare landscape.

This does not diminish the importance of personalistic, naturalistic, or holistic health belief systems, which also play roles in how individuals perceive health and make decisions regarding their care. However, these alternatives are less prevalent as primary frameworks compared to the biomedical system, which is widely taught in medical and nursing education in the U.S., influencing the way healthcare is delivered and understood across the country.