A Conceptual Model for the Study of the Health Action Process

A conceptual model of health action as a process is formulated in which disease, illness, and sickness are three dimensions. Disease refers to a pathological state, illness to the interpretation of this state by the actor, and sickness the actor's behaviour given his interpretation. An effort is made to isolate some elements in this process which may account for the normalization of the symptoms of disease by some people while others seek exemption from their normal roles with relative disregard for the nature and extent of impairment.