What is the primary goal of health promotion

What is the primary goal of health promotion

The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the primary health care approach as the basis for effective delivery of health services. The primary health care approach is both a philosophy of health care and an approach to providing health services, and embraces five types of care: promotive; preventive; curative; rehabilitative; and supportive.  The principles of primary health care are accessibility, public participation, health promotion, appropriate technology and intersectoral cooperation.

Accessibility means that the five types of health care are universally available to all clients regardless of geographical location.

Public participation means clients are encouraged to participate in making decisions about their own health, in identifying the health needs of their community, and in considering the merits of alternative approaches to addressing those needs.

Health promotion involves health education, nutrition, sanitation, maternal and child health care, immunization, prevention and control of disease. The goal of health promotion is to reduce the demands for curative and rehabilitative care.

Appropriate technology means that modes of care are appropriately adapted to the community’s social, economic and cultural development.  Adoption of the principle of appropriate technology highlights the importance of improved knowledge and of on-going capacity building to the design and delivery of health care services.

Intersectoral cooperation recognizes that health and well-being is linked to both economic and social policy Intersectoral cooperation is needed to establish national and local health goals, healthy public policy, and the planning and evaluation of health services.

The goal of nursing practice is to improve the health of clients, and in working to that goal, nurses must apply the five principles of the primary health care approach.   In delivering each type of care, under the primary health care approach, the focus is on prevention and promotion of health.

There is growing evidence worldwide of the benefits and effectiveness of investing in health promotion programs, that take a place-based and collaborative approach that align the work of all partners in local communities to deliver the best possible impacts for the community.

A place-based approach recognises that people and places are inter-related and that the places where people spend their time play an important role in shaping their health and wellbeing.

Funding for community and women's health services

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.

Over 130 community health services, small rural health services, women’s health services and statewide organisations are funded.

The state government also funds 28 Primary Care Partnerships (PCPs).

Each PCP represents a specific subregion within Victoria and is based on alliances between a range of service providers in the catchment area that may include hospitals, community health services, women’s health services, local government and Primary Health Networks.

Planning advice 2017-2021

Advice for public health and wellbeing planning in Victoria: planning cycle 2017-21 will assist councils and funded agencies with health and wellbeing planning and implementation for the 2017-21 cycle. It outlines Victorian policy directions, supplements the Guide to municipal public health and wellbeing planning for councils, and provides information on the requirements and expectations of funded agencies.

This shared advice for councils and funded agencies emphasises the importance of collaboration to improve the health and wellbeing of local populations.

This advice also emphasises the importance of incorporating place-based prevention principles in planning and implementing initiatives, including:

  • aligning local actions with the local Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, and the Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2019-2023
  • a commitment to leadership for health promotion and prevention at all levels
  • a focus on equity
  • an ongoing process of reflection and adaptation to ensure strategies are effective and sustainable
  • health promotion and prevention efforts are focused on delivering long term outcomes for local communities
  • health promotion and prevention initiatives are developed and delivered at a scale that can impact on the health and wellbeing of large numbers of the population.

Legislative context

Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 the State has a significant role to play in promoting and protecting the public health and wellbeing of all Victorians.

The vision of the Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2019-2023 is for a Victoria free of the avoidable burden of disease and injury so that all Victorians can enjoy the highest attainable standards of health and wellbeing and participation at every age.

The Ottawa Charter is a clear statement of action for health promotion, widely used by the health promotion sector. The Ottawa Charter came out of the first International Conference on Health Promotion held in Ottawa, Canada, in November 1986. The conference aimed for action to achieve ‘Health for all’ by the year 2000 and beyond. The Charter gave health promotion a solid framework, and health promoters an identity.
 

Does health promotion work?

Research and case studies from around the world provide convincing evidence that health promotion is effective. Health promotion strategies can develop and change lifestyles, and have an impact on the social, economic and environmental conditions that determine health.
 

What are the strategies for success?

The five strategies set out in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion are essential for success:

  • build healthy public policy
  • create supportive environments
  • strengthen community action
  • develop personal skills
  • reorient health services.

What is VicHealth’s approach?

VicHealth’s approach is informed by international health promotion frameworks, in particular those led by the World Health Organization and encapsulated in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (WHO 1986), the Jakarta Declaration (WHO 1997) and the Rio Declaration (WHO 2012).

Our approach is based on the knowledge that health is influenced by myriad complex and inter-related factors. 

These include:

  • individual behaviours and beliefs
  • family environments
  • community and work cultures
  • practices and policies
  • broader socioeconomic factors such as culture, legislation, the media and economics.

The last few years have been important for health promotion with attention focused on the prevention agenda by both the State and Commonwealth governments. This is in response to significant changes causing an increase in chronic disease.

These include both demographic changes (growth and ageing of the population) and changes to lifestyles. The increase in chronic disease is having, and will continue to have, an impact on our health care system and prevention is seen by all levels of government as key.

The key policies related to health promotion all acknowledge that:

  • other policies of government also impact on health – for example, planning, transport, environmental sustainability
  • partnerships will be needed across all levels of government, non-government organisations, the health sector, business and the community itself if change is to be successful.

Key events and outcomes: Victorian government

Victoria's 10-year mental health plan (December 2015)

This plan sets a long-term vision for improving mental health and wellbeing. It will guide investment and aims to provide better mental health outcomes for Victorians.

Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2015-2019 (September 2015)

The Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2015-2019 outlines the government’s key priorities over the next four years to improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorians, particularly the most disadvantaged.

Victorian Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Framework 2012-2022 (August 2014)

The purpose of the State Government’s framework is to lay out a clear, coordinated agenda for the future of the entire Victorian health system. It covers the spectrum from primary, secondary and tertiary health services to health promotion. The framework is the basis for three supporting plans:

Koolin Balit: Victorian Government Strategic Directions for Aboriginal Health 2012-2022 (July 2013)

This framework provides an overview of the Victorian Government's plan to address Aboriginal health into the future.

Victorian Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (June 2009)

In June 2009, the Victorian Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) provided a response to the Victorian Auditor General’s 2007 review of Victorian health promotion activities. PAEC identified the following areas for improvement: health promotion funding, capacity-building, data, research, performance indicators, evaluation and social marketing.