Health Promotion: Key Concepts and The Ottawa Charter

Introduction to Health Promotion

• Definition: The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.
• WHO Definition of Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• Impact Factors: Social, environmental, and economic conditions that influence health.

Comprehensive Approach

• Health promotion targets individuals and broader health determinants.
• Importance recognized globally since 1986.

The Ottawa Charter

• First International Conference on Health Promotion (1986): Held in Ottawa, Canada by WHO.
• Outcome: Creation of the Ottawa Charter, a landmark document guiding health promotion principles.
• Influence: Continues to guide health promotion activities worldwide.

Key Components of the Ottawa Charter

Five Action Areas

1. Building Healthy Public Policy

   • Developing policies that support health across all sectors.
   • Examples: Seat belt laws, smoking restrictions, workplace safety regulations.

2. Creating Supportive Environments

   • Linking natural and built environments to health.
   • Examples: Workplace health promotion, restrictions on junk food advertising, community fitness programs.

3. Strengthening Community Action

   • Collective community efforts to improve health.
   • Examples: Community fund runs, community kitchens, support organizations for health conditions.

4. Reorienting Health Services

   • Shifting focus from curative treatment to preventive and holistic health.
   • Examples: Training doctors for preventive care, health educator roles, improving access for diverse populations.

5. Developing Personal Skills

   • Enhancing personal and social development for healthy choices.
   • Examples: Online health information, educational materials on diseases, disease management classes.

Three Strategies

1. Advocate

   • Obtaining political and policy support for health goals.

2. Mediate

   • Reconciling different interests to promote health.

3. Enable

   • Empowering individuals to take action for their own health.

Conclusion

• Health promotion is integral to public health and involves multifaceted approaches addressing individual and systemic health determinants.
• The Ottawa Charter remains a foundational document guiding these efforts through its action areas and strategies.