Health Promotion And Health In Australia

The concept of health promotion has emerged with the increasing realisation in society that our health is one of our most valuable personal assets, as well as an asset for society (Crafter, 1997). The Health Promotion Agency (2008) describes health promotion as a process enabling people to

Health Promotion This is the process of allowing people to have more control over their health as this will help improve their health and well-being. It focuses on individual behaviour towards a wide range of social and interventions. Health promotion is how health is shown for example to challenge obesity change 4 life is used so people can have a guidance on how to make their lifestyle healthier. It also shows that health promotion is aimed at individuals whose health is at risk from any diseases from lifestyle factors, which lets individuals take control over their health. By being able to have control over their health it shows individuals what may have happened if nothing was done of it

According to Victorian Health Department and Human Services, Integrated Health Promotion is “a funding source available to community and women’s health services across Victoria to support local delivery of evidence-based prevention and health promotion initiatives”. And more than 130 health services such as community health, rural health, women’s heath services, and others are funded to bring integrated health promotion to citizens (Department of Health and Human Services, n.d).

The Queensland Government 'Healthier. Happier ' campaign is a key element of the Queensland Government 's strategic approach to address the critical health issue of obesity in Queensland (Queensland Health, 2014). Three million Queenslanders will be overweight or obese by 2020, and overweight and obesity are the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and some musculoskeletal conditions (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016). Based on these current trends, the 'Healthier.Happier ' campaign aims is to address obesity in Queensland by encouraging the adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviours. This essay will critique the 'Healthier.Happier ' campaign by analysing the health promotion strategies and the underlying assumptions used in developing the campaign, as well the reviewing the implications of such strategies.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables at or over the recommended five servings per day is associated with a decreased risk of heart attack and stroke. Greater consumption of fruits is also associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

The individual level of health promotion is based on the Ottawa charter action area ‘develop personal skills’ through education and social development an individual is more inclined to seek health promoting behaviour and make more informed health choices. (Who.int, 2016) An example of this is the Australian guide to healthy eating which provides individuals with guidelines on how to make good informed choices when it comes to healthy eating. (Anon, 2016)

The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, 1986, defined Health Promotion as being ‘the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health’. There are three key approaches to HP. The first one looks at population subgroups. It is well documented that not all cultures view health as a prime goal. For example, an addict will chose to facilitate his habit over basic sanitary and physical necessities. The ‘population subgroup’ approach looks to focus on targeted solutions for smaller groups

Definition of Health Promotion is increasing awareness, indentifying alternatives and influencing attitudes of the people, so that they can make an informed decision and change their behaviors to achieve an optimal level of mental, physical and social health. Health promotion is also defined as the process of empowering people to improve and take control of their health to optimize the quality of their lives. Ennis et al (2006) has explained health promotion as emotional, cognitive and behavioral endeavor to promote well being and health of the people. Davis (1995) expresses a deeper perspective in which preventive health science, social environment,

Health promotion is a process, which encourages individuals to increase their knowledge through information and individual choice to recognize and improve their health (WHO, 1986).

Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health and wellbeing (Maggie & Scaffa, 2013). It has three key strategies including advocate, enable, and mediate (Tucker, Vanderloo, Irwin, Mandich & Bossers, 2014). Health promotion is through these three strategies that aim to achieve the five actions of the Ottawa Charter which include build healthy public policy; create supportive environments; strength community action; develop personal skills; and reorient health services (Tucker, Vanderloo, Irwin, Mandich & Bossers, 2014). In addition, the values of the health promotion include empowerment; equity and social justice; health as a human right; health as a holistic concept; and respect for cultural diversity (Tucker, Vanderloo, Irwin, Mandich & Bossers, 2014). There are a wide ranges of specific interventions, such as back education program for school children to improve back posture,

The World health Organisation says Health promotion is a method using an assortment of social and environmental interventions to support individuals in managing and improving their own health. (WHO, 2016).

The body responds differently to food types, either healthy or convenience, and determines the mood and daily productivity of an individual. According to Donald D. Hensrud, in order to enjoy an increase in energy and good-feelings, eat more fruits and vegetables as they promote a healthy body

Health promotion aims a wide range of targets at different levels in the community. The huge benefits resulted from health promotion and disease prevention efforts make many realize that this domain of health care is worth to be invested in. The focus is shifted evermore from the medical to the preventative approach, from treating the disease to avoiding the onset of it.

Discuss the effectiveness of a range of health promotion strategies in relation to young people (6 marks)

“Is it possible for an average South African to choose a variety of foods from their local supermarket where they can select a healthy, balanced diet based on the food groups, without consuming a variety of chemical food products?”