According to the Health Belief Model, what factor is being addressed when a clinician informs a patient that smoking is linked to a high percentage of lung cancers?

In the context of the Health Belief Model, informing a patient that smoking is linked to a high percentage of lung cancers directly addresses the concept of perceived susceptibility. This term refers to an individual's belief about the likelihood of experiencing a negative health outcome, in this case, lung cancer, as a result of their behavior, such as smoking. By providing this information, the clinician is helping the patient recognize their personal risk associated with smoking, increasing their awareness of how this behavior may lead to serious health consequences.

The focus here is on helping the patient understand that they are not just at risk, but that specific behaviors (like smoking) significantly contribute to that risk of lung cancer. This understanding can motivate individuals to take action to change their behavior, such as quitting smoking, to reduce their susceptibility to this serious health issue.