Numerous theories have attempted to explain possible factors relating to an individual's propensity for engaging or failing to engage in preventative health behaviors. The Health Locus of Control (HLOC) is now considered to be an important variable for understanding an individual's likelihood for following health promoting behaviors. This paper provides a quasi meta-analysis by offering a descriptive and methodological review of HLOC literature from 1976 to 1993. This literature was examined for possible sources of bias. The results of this analysis indicate that HLOC research is primarily conducted in the United States by a fairly even distribution of male and female researchers, who are often members of psychology faculties. Studies are mostly published in psychology journals, with some research appearing in medical journals. These studies have included a wide variety of participants, including hospital patients, employees, school children, and university students. HLOC research is generally of an applied nature, and is most often correlational in design. An analysis of research findings indicates that an Internal HLOC is related to health-promoting behavior, positive health status, health knowledge, information-seeking, and treatment success. Five tables and 13 figures provide statistical summaries. (RJM)