Health Promotion

Introduction to health promotion

Primary Care Health Promotion

Introduction to health promotion What is health promotion? The WHO Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion defines health promotion as "The process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health." The Ottawa Charter stressed that health promotion should be multi-strategic and identified five action areas : Building healthy public policy Creating supportive environments Strengthening community action Develop personal skills Re-orient health services Research and case studies around the world provided evidence that health promotion can develop and change lifestyles, and the social, economic and environmental conditions which determine health WHO Jakarta Declaration. It is generally agreed that by apply a systemic approach to health promotion and illness prevention strategies, primary care can influence population health outcomes. Health professionals can equip themselves with clinical competence to advise patient on health promotion issues e.g. "How do I stop smoking?", "Which foods should I eat?", "What's the right exercise program for me?".

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