This literature review aimed to describe attitudes towards HIV / AIDS, cancer and Alzheimer's disease from the tripartite model. 109 articles published between 2005 and 2015 in some specialized databases and tools for impact analysis were reviewed. Secondary sources were also included to expand the search to the last 20 years (1995-2015). The results showed that most of the studies on attitudes towards these three diseases are quantitative and analyzed information is based on components of the tripartite model. Some socio-demographic aspects such as gender and age are associated with the three diseases attitudes and misconceptions prevail over them regarding their causes, course and treatment. Also prevalent negative attitudes towards the three diseases and behavioral intentions and behaviors are different to each of them. No empirical data of the study of the structure of attitudes proposed by the tripartite model to the three diseases were found. Public Health has led the investigation based on the model of knowledge, attitudes and practices proposed by WHO.
