Introduction to Health Promotion Lecture Flashcards
19/11/24
What is health promotion?
The process of enabling people to increase control over, and improve, their health.
What is the medical approach to Health Promotion?
Aims to reduce morbidity by targeting risk groups with medical interventions. Assumes application of medical knowledge. E.g. immunisation, medication
How can the medical approach be criticised?
It’s focus is on the absence of disease, and doesn’t promote positive health. It ignores social determinants of health and encourages dependence on medical knowledge.
What is the behaviour change approach to Health Promotion?
Aims to encourage people to adopt healthy behaviours by educating them on causes of health/illness. It assumes humans are rational decision makers. E.g. campaigns to persuade people to make healthier choices.
Why can the behaviour change approach be criticised?
It doesn’t take into account social determinants, it’s expert led, and blameworthy.
What is the educational approach to Health Promotion?
Aims to provide knowledge and information and develop necessary skills so people can make an informed choice about their health behaviour. It assumes that by increasing knowledge, there will be a change in attitude, which may lead to changed behaviour. E.g. provision of leaflets/booklets.
How can the educational approach be criticised?
It is used widely but increasing knowledge and changing beliefs/attitudes does not necessarily lead to changes in behaviour.
What is the empowerment approach?
Aims to increase control over your own physical, social and internal environments. Helps people identify their own concerns and gain skills and confidence to act upon them. It assumes that power is a universal resource that can be mobilised by everyone. E.g. participatory learning, group work, client centred counselling.
How can the empowerment approach me criticised?
Assumes that rational choices are healthy choices..
Time consuming.
No objective way of measuring outcomes.
Question of true participation or just tokenism?
What constitutes a top-down approach?
Authoritative - priorities set by those with power/resources to make decisions and impose ideas of what should be done.
What constitutes a bottom-up approach?
Negotiated - Priorities set by the people themselves, identifying issues they perceive as relevant.
What is the social change approach?
Aims to modify social, economic and physical structures, which generate ill health. Change society, not the individual, make healthier choices, the easier choice. It assumes that individuals organise and act collectively in order to change their physical and social environments. E.g. changes to policy and legislation.
How can the social change approach be criticised?
Most healthcare professionals have limited role in developing policy, so a wider political structural change is required.
What are Scotland’s priorities?
Healthy Places and Communities
Early Years
Mental Wellbeing
Reducing use of and harm from alcohol, tobacco and other substances.
A sustainable inclusive economy
We eat well, are physically active and have a healthy weight.
