What we eat, how much alcohol we drink, how physically active we are, whether or not we smoke or vape tobacco products, and whether or not we take steps to prevent injury (such as wearing a life jacket, seatbelt, or a helmet) are all considered ''personal health practices'' or health behaviors. These practices have an impact on our health and well-being.

The appropriate use of protective equipment can reduce the likelihood of serious injury. For example, wearing a helmet when bicycling, skiing, or snowboarding can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of head injuries.^[33,34,35] Wearing a life jacket while boating reduces incidence of drowning by 80%.^[36] Seatbelt use reduces the chances of an injury when in a vehicle crash by 53%.^[37]

Smoking contributes to a variety of health problems, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. It remains a leading cause of preventable death in British Columbia. The use of vaping products that contain nicotine can increase the risk of diseases associated with nicotine consumption (e.g., nicotine addiction) and other health conditions.^[20] Conversely, reductions in tobacco smoking have been associated with substantial reductions in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and some cancers over the past two decades.^[21] This decrease in tobacco smoking resulted in corresponding reductions in the demand for healthcare services related to these diseases.^[21]

Physical activity can include recreation and sports, exercising, and active forms of transportation like walking or biking.^[22] Health benefits of physical activity include reduced risk for multiple chronic diseases as well as improved fitness, strength, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.^[22,23] Communities can offer programs and services that increase physical activity awareness, build skills to engage in physical activity, and positively influence personal health practices. Supportive social and physical environments can improve everyone’s ability to adopt more physical activities.

Consuming alcohol can contribute to poorer self-reported health ^[24] and increase the risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, ^[25] cancer, and liver disease. ^[26] It is also linked to various risk factors of poor health including psychological distress, and has been heavily implicated in most areas of injury including motor vehicle, workplace, suicide and self-harm, interpersonal violence, falls, drownings, and poisonings.^{[27,28,29,30,31]}