Health promotion - A way of life

What is health? This is a question that many of us may not have stopped to ponder on. Some believe that being healthy means to be free of disease states of the body and mind; others say it is a positive state of wellness.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease”. Therefore, in order to achieve and maintain a state of health, one must take steps not only to prevent diseases but also to actively promote a state of health.

Health Promotion

Health promotion is an important concept that helps people change their lifestyles in order to achieve a state of optimum health and in the process, enables them to increase control over their own health status.

Health is created and lived by people within the settings of their everyday life, while working, learning, playing and forging relationships with others. It is a resource to life and living - and created by caring not only for oneself, but also for others.

It stems from having control of life’s circumstances, being able to take decisions appropriate to a healthy lifestyle and, most importantly, by ensuring that social conditions allow the attainment of health by all.

Health promotion is therefore not just the responsibility of the health sector, but a positive concept that highlights personal resources, social resources and the physical capacities of both.

Global trends.

The WHO recognised the importance of Health Promotion many decades ago. In 1986, a landmark policy statement - the Ottawa Charter came into being. This document defined the core principles of health promotion and pledged to recognise health and its maintenance as a major social investment and challenge.

The Charter also recognised the social and economic factors that determine health status such as income, education, profession, working conditions and mental status.

These in turn can affect risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, eating habits and physical inactivity.Since then, the concept of health promotion has been emphasised in programmes of the WHO, governments, non-governmental and other voluntary organisations.

However, major inequities in health, particularly in the developing world, affect the achievement of this goal. In addition, over the past 2 decades there have been many global changes and trends that critically affect health and well-being.

As a response to these challenges, a new charter for health promotion was adopted in 2005, during the 6th Global Conference for Health Promotion held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Bangkok Charter highlights the changing context of global health and the challenges faced in achieving its aims, including the growing double burden of infectious and chronic diseases which include heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

It also identifies major challenges, actions and commitments needed to control the health effects of globalisation such as economic and social inequities, rapid urbanization and the degradation of environments.

Thinking globally, acting locally

Peace, food, shelter, education, stable finances, sustainable resources and social justice are some of the fundamental pre-requisites to health. The above concepts and charters have no meaning unless the benefits of health promotion reach individuals, families and communities.

At Government level, health promotion involves varied but complementary approaches including law and justice, taxation, and other organisational changes. The combined effect is of health, financial and social policies that lead to safer goods and services, healthier public services, and cleaner, more enjoyable environments.

Technology, energy production and urbanisation can result in a rapidly changing environment and the health impact should be assessed with action taken to ensure positive benefit to the health of the public. If all policy makers have health on their agenda,they will be aware of the health consequences of their decisions and make the “healthier choice” when needed.

The healthcare system should be supported not only by the government but also by health service institutions, professionals, community groups and individuals. A healthcare system contributing towards the pursuit of health will move beyond the responsibility of providing curative and clinical services and work towards health promotion as well.

Such a revitalised health system will support the needs of individuals and communities for a healthier life, and open channels between the health sector and broader social, political, economic and environmental components.The community too has a key role to play in health promotion. Changing patterns of life, work and leisure have a significant impact on health.

Work and leisure should be a source of health to people, and thus, health promotion aims to generate living and working conditions that are safe, satisfying and enjoyable. At community level, health promotion works through effective community action in prioritising, decision making, including planning and implementation of strategies towards better health.

Community development will ideally draw on the existing money, materiel and manpower to build strong, yet flexible systems for social support. As an individual, one will receive the greatest personal benefit of health promotion. Lifestyle related choices on nutritious food, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption etc. are made by us on a daily basis.

People cannot achieve their fullest health potential unless they are able to take control of factors which determine their health. Health Promotion enables people to have increased control over their own health and its determinants by developing personal skills, embracing community action, and fostering appropriate public policies, health services and supportive environments.

It demands coordinated action by all concerned: by governments, by health and other social and economic sectors, by nongovernmental and voluntary organizations, by local authorities, by industry and by the media.

People in all walks of life are involved as individuals, families and communities. Each and every one of us should recognise that good health is a major resource for social, economic and personal development and an important dimension of quality of life.