The World Health Organisation defines as - "the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health..."

To reach a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing an individual or group must be able to identify and to realise aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore seen as a resource for life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. Therefore health promotion is not just the responsibility of the health sector, but goes beyond healthy lifestyles to wellbeing" (Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, 1986).

Health promotion represents a comprehensive social and political process. It not only embraces actions directed at strengthening the skills and capabilities of individuals, but also action directed towards changing social, environmental and economic conditions so as to alleviate their impact on public and individual health. Health promotion is therefore the process of enabling people to take control over the determinants of their health and thereby improve their health (Nutbeam, 1998)

Health Promotion is about making a difference to people’s health and the conditions that support their health. It is a way of thinking and doing. The basic principles and values that characterise health promotion and assess whether you are working in a health promoting way include;

• Adopting a holistic view of health (physical, social, spiritual and mental health)
• Focusing on equity and the addressing of inequities (guided my social justice)
• Focusing on the determinants of health, the social, behavioural, economic and environmental conditions that are the root cause of health and illness
• Emphasising active consumer and community participation (including all concerns and needs at all stages work)
• Building on existing strengths and assets, not just addressing health problems and deficits
• Using multiple strategies to promote health at the individual and community/population level (policy development, organisational change, community development, advocacy, education, communication and legislation)
• Basing work on best available evidence and having a commitment to planning and evaluation
• Working in partnership with key stakeholders (both inside and especially outside the health care setting)
• Considering the differences in gender and cultures

(Keleher, MacDougall, Murphy, 2007)

To achieve best practice and work in a health promoting way means being able to apply these principles and values above to your role and responsibilities. It is also about being able to apply them and to the planning, implementation and evaluation that you undertake in that role.

Visit the on-line learning site below for a simple snapshot, providing more of an overview of key health promotion definitions and concepts: http://www.ohprs.ca/hp101/section_a.htm

Please feel free to contact the health promotion team for further information and for support with this application in your team.