Is the focus on health-related behaviours a new phenomenon?

Abstract

In his article ‘Origins of the Problem of Health-related Behaviours: A Genealogical Study’, David Armstrong claims that the idea about ‘changeable behaviour is a relatively recent phenomenon’. In this paper it is argued that this conclusion is not valid. One concern is whether his sources sufficiently document the ideas. Another concern is whether David Armstrong overlooked the focus on health-promoting and health-damaging behaviours by including an insufficient number of words or terms in his search criteria. In this paper it is demonstrated that health-related behaviours have been a concern for doctors throughout history. It is not new as David Armstrong and proponents of the New Public Health claim.