7/09/2016

Health

Introduction to health
promotion

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity (WHO)
Health is, therefore, seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living.
Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as
physical capacities.

Dr Fiona McKay
School of health and social development, Deakin University
9th September 2016

Understand health in terms of peoples capacity to have access to the resources they
need to be healthy, and to adapt to, respond to, or control lifes challenges and
changes (Keleher and Murphy, 2004, p. 4)

What is health promotion?

Health Promotion principles

The process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health
(Ottawa Charter, 1986)
The process of enabling people to take control over those factors that determine
health (Keleher and Murphy, 2004)
The action arm of public health (Sandy Gifford)
Any combination of health education and related organisational, economic and
political changes to promote change at individual, social and environmental levels
(Green)
We do this 2 ways:
Strengthening the understanding and skills of individuals in ways that support
their efforts to achieve and maintain health.
Changing social, economic, cultural and physical environments so that they
improve health.

What are we trying to do?

Works with people not on them

Starts and ends with the local community
Is directed to the underlying as well as immediate causes of health
Balances concern with the individual and the environment
Emphasises the positive dimensions of health
Concerns and should involve all sectors of society and the environment

The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

- 1986
Health promotion action means:
Build healthy public policy
taxation, legislation for seatbelts

Create supportive environments

bicycle paths, public transport

Strengthen community action

community retains power and control

Develop personal skills

health education, QUIT campaign

Reorient health services

shift focus from treatment to prevention

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The Jakarta Declaration - 1997

Reiterated importance of the Ottawa Charter, additional emphasis on the social responsibility for
health

What does health promotion look like?

Tobacco control
Obesity prevention

1. Promote social responsibility for health

Arts based health promotion

involve both private and public sectors

2. Increase investments for health development

more money, also focus on equity of investment

3. Consolidate and expand partnerships for health

share knowledge and resources between governments, NGO, private, public

4. Increase community capacity and empower the individual

carry out health promotion BY and WITH the people, not ON or TO the people

5. Secure an infrastructure for health promotion

resources (human, material), structures, regulatory

Tobacco Control

Tobacco Smoking Status (over 14 years)

Responsible for the greatest burden on the health of Australians, accounting for 7.8%
of the total burden of disease in 2003.
Major risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and
numerous cancers.
Each year, around 15,000 people died in Australia as a result of tobacco smoking.
The Australian Government, have committed to reduce the national adult daily
smoking rate to 10% and halve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult daily
smoking rate (from 47% in 2008).

http://www.aihw.gov.au/risk-factors-tobacco-smoking/

http://www.aihw.gov.au/alcohol-and-other-drugs/ndshs/2013/tobacco/

Milestones in smoking reduction

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More recent actions

2006
Bans on smoking in enclosed workplaces
Graphic health warnings on tobacco products
2007
Smoking banned in pubs/clubs
2010
Smoking banned in vehicles with children
Increase in tobacco tax by 25%
2011
Point-of-sale displays banned
2012
Plain packaging for all tobacco products
Smoking banned on beaches
2014
Smoking banned where children play
Smoking banned on public transport platforms/waiting areas
2015
Smoking banned on the grounds of childcare centres, kindergartens and schools

Trends

Obesity
One and a half billion adults worldwide are overweight, and half a billion are obese
Australia now has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world
Latest figures show that 21.7% of the population is obese (60% are overweight)
One in four Australian women are obese
One in four Australian children are obese
Obesity can contribute to poor health (diabetes, health diseases, some cancers,
chronic conditions)

Strategies for change

Individual

Sedentary Behaviour

Environment

Good urban design and active transport

Improve access to, and promote use of
public transport
Zone for mixed-use, so residential and
commercial can exist side by side (increase
opportunities for walking)
Mixed-density housing
Infrastructure for bike paths, pedestrian
crossings
Traffic calming measures to reduce
speed

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Arts based health promotion

Dance and music work shops in remote Aboriginal communities
Messages include
look, listen, talk, seek help;
look after yourself, look after each other;
you can say no (no to bullying, no to being pressured, no to things that you
think are not right)
Sexual health messages
Alcohol and other drugs
http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Lunchbox-differences-in-decile-1-and-decile-10schools/tabid/440/articleID/30730/Default.aspx