Health Promotion - What is it?

Health Promotion Overview

            Healthcare aide to developing countries is often most discussed during times of crisis – for example, news around the world might report on a devastating earthquake that has claimed many lives and done extensive damage throughout the region.  Calls for assistance are publicized, disaster relief organizations mobilize, the public is urged to donate or help.  Certainly, these are important programs and urgent relief will always be needed around the globe. 

            However, there is increasing recognition for the need for ongoing health promotion programs designed to empower, educate and increase the well-being and self-reliance of persons before disaster strikes. While less publicized in much of daily media, there are many ongoing and effective health promotion programs around the globe.  They arise from centralized governmental programs, from international organizations such as The World Health Organization, from institutions of higher learning, not-for profit aid agencies, religious organizations and even private donors (Kumar & Preetha, 2012).

            While there are diverse approaches and programs that fall under the category of “health promotion programs”, the majority of such programs have some common variables.  Some of these include:

• Identification of a Public Health Need or Knowledge Deficit
• Research and understanding of contributing factors, local culture and health practices (those that contribute to the health issue as well as those practices that could be helpful in improving the issue).
• Identifying stakeholders:  Who is affected by this issue? Who will benefit from improvement of this issue?  Who might be opposed to or stand to lose something if a health promotion plan is implemented to improve the issue?
• Idenfication of Available Resources: What natural resources are available to assist in developing a health promotion project? What financial resources are available in the area?  Are there outside partners or financing designed to fund such a project? What types of human resources are available?  Health care workers? Government officials?  Volunteers?
• Development of the Project: Utilizing data gathered from the above finding activities, a project is designed and planned.  Multiple factors such as those mentioned will often dictate the size, scope and duration of the program.
• Implementation of the Project: This is the actual step wherein the program “goes live” and the health promotion activities are carried out.
• Gathering Feedback and Analyzing Data:  What are the impression of the stakeholders in this effort?  Were participants involved?  Did receipients of the program understand what was taught?  How confident are they in their ability to implement what they learned in their daily lives?  Were resources adequate for the program? What could be done differently?  What worked well?
• Ongoing Support: Will the program be repeated?  What resources are available to sustain the health promotion efforts?  Are new resources evident that were previously unknown? (Centers for Disease Control, 1999).

      While the above steps are far from comprehensive and are not always linear, they are designed to give the reader an idea of the basic framework of a health promotion program.  While not discussed among the pragmatic aspects and steps, I feel one of the most important factors in designing a program is having a genuine interest in the well-being of the people whom you seek to serve.  People can tell when you care about them, their families and communities.  They are more likely to listen, participate and support programs when they feel respected and valued by those presenting the information.  Furthermore, taking the time to develop connections and appreciate those you serve will make the project more rewarding and beneficial to you as the developer.