Overview of health promotion

Over the past two decade the explosion of interest and participation in health promotion and wellness activities has resulted in an evolution in health care. In fact, health promotion is often confused with or used synonymously with health education. The confusion is the result of a change in the way thinking about or paradigm shift in the concept of health.

Health education The practice of health education is a tool or mechanism of health-related learning resulting in increased knowledge, development, and change in behavior. Health education / then, is directed toward changing behavior toward preset goals. Health education can be expanded to include the society in which the individual functions.

Health promotion In 1986 the WHO sponsored the first international conference on health promotion ( Ottawa charter). Health promotion, as presented in the Ottawa charter, included: Enabling people to live health lifestyles by building healthy public policy, Creating supportive environment, Strengthening community action, Developing personal skills, and Reorienting health services.

Since 1986, health promotion has been described as: a theme, an activity, a process, a principle, a strategy, a discipline, a philosophy, an art, and a science.

There are four themes that provided for some unity. These themes related to: empowerment, lifestyles, health enhancement, and well-being.

Imbedded in these themes are issues of : ethics, values, personal choice, responsibility, and potential

Basically, health promotion is any endeavor directed to enhancing the quality of health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities, and / or nations through strategies involving: supportive environments, coordination of resources, and respect for personal choice and values.

Related concepts, are part of the broader concept of health promotion including: health education, health protection, and disease prevention,

H. P. Past –today - future Health promotion is a dynamic process in constant change. the health promoting practices and policies of the past have gone through major alteration to adjust to the reality of the world today and to flow into the future.

Nursing practice has also undergone major changes but has continually maintained a commitment to promoting health. Today, the nursing profession, with its variation of roles and scope of practice, play has a vital part in the promotion of health that extends from individuals to families, groups, communities, and the world.

Health promotion is a relatively recent term that has various meanings among individual, and societies reflective of values, beliefs, politics, and philosophies. Health education is a major component of health promotion.

The history of health promotion is tapestry woven from: ancient cultures, practices based on beliefs and values of the population, changing health behaviors, effects of technological and scientific advances, and powerful

in the nineteenth century the major movements behind health promotion are: Heightened consciousness of society, the change of medical focus from disease treatment to illness prevention, and the development of nursing as a profession

in the twentieth century The contributions of science and the effects of economic, environmental, and sociopolitical forces profoundly affected health promotion in the united states. World II was a major catalyst in technology advancement, and disease treatment that changed medical practice forever.

Canada was an early leader of nations for health promotion with publication of the LaLonde Report. World health organization (WHO) enlisted the support of member nations in reaching the goals of Health For All by the year Health For All by the year 2010 Health For All by the year 2020

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010 AGENDA GOALS Increase quality and years of healthy life Eliminate health disparities INDICATORS Physical activity Overweight and obesity Tobacco use Substance abuse Responsible sexual behavior Mental health Injury and violence Environmental quality Immunization Access to health care

the important of health promotion in professional practice are:. Consumer involvement, expanded roles for nurses, changing practice setting, and collaborative health care management highlight the commitment of the nursing profession to health promotion emphasize by: The code for nurses, nursing social policy statement, and standards for clinical nursing practice

The future of health promotion and nursing practice will be affected by the manner in which nurses articulate their unique contributions. A personal commitment to increase knowledge, collaboration, individualization of healthcare, and focus on wellness will expand from a narrow perspective to a wide perspective of health promotion.

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