Health promotion facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Health promotion is all about helping people take more control over their health and make it better. The World Health Organization (WHO) said in 1986 that it's "the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health."

What Health Promotion Is All About

The WHO explains that health promotion helps people gain more control over their health. It also helps them understand what affects their health, so they can make it better.

This includes creating public rules that deal with things like how much money people earn, where they live, if they have enough food, jobs, and good working conditions. A newer idea called Health in All Policies (HiAP) means thinking about health in all government decisions. Health promotion also works to make health fair for everyone, which is called health equity. Groups that work for social justice or human rights often focus on this.

Learning about health, or health literacy, can happen in schools. Other parts of health promotion, like encouraging breastfeeding, might depend on laws. Health promotion is about preventing problems, not just treating them after they happen.

Sometimes, people think health promotion is only about teaching individuals how to make better choices. But research shows that people's beliefs about life, politics, and science also play a big role in how they view health policies.

A Look Back at Health Promotion

The idea of health promotion first appeared in a 1974 report from Canada. It talked about helping people and groups take more responsibility for their mental and physical health. Another important report was the 1979 Healthy People report from the Surgeon General of the United States. It said health promotion helps communities and individuals create healthy ways of living.

In the mid-1980s, the idea of health promotion grew to include helping people feel powerful and improving their surroundings.

In 1984, the WHO in Europe said health promotion helps people control and improve their health. They suggested using laws, money rules, and community efforts to promote health.
In 1986, Jake Epp, the Canadian Minister of Health, released a report. It said health promotion involves "self-care" (taking care of yourself), "mutual aid" (helping each other), and "healthy environments."
The first big meeting on health promotion happened in Ottawa in 1986. This led to the "Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion." It said health promotion:
- Is not just for doctors, but includes overall well-being.
- Tries to make things like politics, money, and culture good for health.
- Aims for fairness in health for everyone.
- Needs everyone to work together: governments, health groups, and other organizations.

Later, the "American" idea of health promotion focused more on providing services. But now, everyone agrees that the environment also strongly affects health.

Health Promotion in Different Places

The WHO's "Healthy Settings" approach looks at different places as systems that help promote health. A "setting" is any place or social situation where people do daily activities. In these places, the environment, organizations, and personal factors all affect health. There are 11 main settings: cities, villages, communities, schools, workplaces, markets, homes, islands, hospitals, prisons, and universities.

Hospitals That Promote Health

Hospitals can also promote health. They try to help patients, staff, and the community become healthier. They do this by adding health promotion ideas into how the hospital works. This means having a plan, involving all staff, and checking how well their health efforts are working.

The International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services helps spread these ideas around the world.

Health Promotion at Work

Workplaces are very important for health promotion. The goal is to prevent health problems and reduce risks for employees. For example, a U.S. report showed that many Americans are not active enough. Being active can greatly improve health.

Workplace health promotion programs (also called "workplace wellness programs") include things like:

Exercise classes.
Tips for healthy eating.
Help to quit smoking.
Ways to manage stress.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that regular physical activity helps prevent many diseases. It can reduce anxiety and depression, help with obesity, and lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Studies have shown that these programs can lead to:

Less sick leave.
Lower health costs.
Fewer workers' compensation claims.
Better overall well-being for employees.

A study by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization found that working very long hours can lead to serious health problems like heart disease. This shows how important it is to promote health in the workplace, especially for stress.

Health Promotion Around the World

Many government groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world work on health promotion.

International Efforts

The WHO and its regional offices, like the Pan American Health Organization, are very important for health promotion globally. The WHO has eight main health campaigns each year, including World Health Day and World No Tobacco Day.

The International Union for Health Promotion and Education, based in France, holds conferences worldwide. The European Union also helps fund projects focused on health promotion.

Australia

Australia has a strong focus on health promotion. The Australian Health Promotion Association was started in 1988. The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) is special because it's funded by a tax on tobacco. The Australian Government has programs like "Get Set 4 Life" to help people live healthy lives.

Health Promotion in Australian Schools

Schools in Australia teach about health based on state guidelines. They often focus on health issues that receive special funding or events.

Health Promotion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Citizens

Historically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia have faced poor health. There are growing efforts to improve their health. This requires cooperation between all citizens, treating everyone as equals.

Canada

In 2005, the province of Ontario created a Ministry of Health Promotion. Its goal is to help people in Ontario live healthy, active lives. It encourages healthy choices, creates supportive environments, and helps make public policies that promote health.

Denmark

The Unit for Health Promotion Research in Denmark focuses on strengthening health in communities. They work to improve environments and help people develop skills for health. Their diverse staff, with backgrounds in public health, psychology, and more, helps them achieve these goals.

India

In India, improving sanitation has been a key part of health promotion. The National Urban Sanitation Policy of 2008 aimed to improve sanitation in cities, schools, and markets, and to stop open defecation.

Ireland

Health Promotion Research in Ireland

The Health Promotion Research Centre (HPRC) at the National University of Ireland Galway started in 1990. It's the only research center in Ireland dedicated to health promotion. It does important research that helps create good health policies and practices. The HPRC works with groups locally and internationally.

The Association for Health Promotion Ireland (AHPI) was created in 1997. It helps people who work in health promotion connect and get support.

New Zealand

The Health Promotion Forum (HPF) of New Zealand is a group of over 150 organizations working to improve health. The Health Promotion Agency (HPA), started in 2012, promotes well-being and healthy living. It also informs the public about health policies. HPA has programs on topics like alcohol, immunisation, and mental health.

Health promotion in New Zealand has grown since the 1980s. They use public policies and media campaigns. For example, they have programs to reduce childhood obesity in primary schools.

Norway

In 2012, Norway created the Norwegian Public Health Act (PHA). This law focuses on fair health for everyone and involves health in all policies. It gives local areas power to make decisions to reduce health differences and share resources fairly.

Sri Lanka

In 2015, people in Sri Lanka lived to about 72 for males and 78 for females. More people are now getting diseases related to lifestyle and the environment. Sri Lanka's National Health Promotion Policy aims to help people and communities take control of their own health.

Sweden

In Sweden, the Public Health Agency is mainly in charge of health promotion. Many local projects also exist. Health promotion is also taught to health professionals like nurses and doctors.

Many health promotion efforts in Sweden focus on making health fair for everyone. They help groups that have poorer health. For example, programs for teenagers in disadvantaged areas help them learn actively and reflect on their health. Health promotion in schools has grown because it helps students' mental and physical health.

United Kingdom

The Royal Society for Public Health was formed in 2008. It works with other groups to promote health. These groups focus on different areas:

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) speaks up for health promotion.
The Institute of Health Promotion and Education (IHPE) supports the health promotion workforce.
The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) sets professional standards and training.
The UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) regulates the workforce.

In Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency works to lead and support health promotion efforts.

United States

In the United States, "developing personal skills" is a big part of health education. Sometimes, health education is confused with the whole idea of health promotion. Government groups involved include:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works to prevent disease and improve health.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health helps improve the health and well-being of workers.
The United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine supports health promotion for the Army.

Non-government groups include:

The Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section of the American Public Health Association.
The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing offers exams for health education specialists.
The Wellness Council of America supports workplace health programs.