Major actions of health promotion

As a HEW you should know these areas of health promotion to apply accordingly in your community. Health promotion has the following major areas of concern.

A. Formulating Healthy Public Policy

Health promotion encourages formulation of healthy policies in all sectors. E.g. healthy workplaces, schools, homes, buildings, villages and communities policies should be formulated. Health aspect should be thought of and included in the policies of the various sectors. Health Policies should also emphasize the prevention and promotion. E.g. If public smoking is prohibited/ illegal this policy promotes health of the whole public by decreasing passive smokers.

B. Reorienting Health Services

Since lifestyle is linked to many of today's health problems, prevention and promotion should decrease the burden on secondary (curative) health care. Greater emphasis and resources placed on health promotion and primary health care. Less emphasis can be given for secondary health care or for curative services.

As a health extension worker you should arrange you service to the direction of prevention and promotion to keep you community healthy rather than rushing to treat cases. This will help you to select and prioritize appropriate community problems.

C. Empowering Communities to Achieve Well-Being

Involvement of the community in health decisions in a multi-sectoral and participatory approach is the exact way to achieve healthy community. To achieve this we should first provide communities with necessary information and tools to take actions to improve their health and well-being. Without community participation we cannot create sustainable health program. (You will learn more about community participation in sessions 4 of this module)

D. Creating Supportive Environments

Creating healthy physical, social and economic environment that are conducive to the well-being of the community should be introduced to have a healthier and productive community. All development activities should aim for a healthy environment - healthy buildings, roads, workplaces, homes, surroundings and schools.

Social circumstances; such as education, employment, poverty, environmental condition; such as toxic agents, environmental pollutants, political structures, public policy and regulation should put their role in creating conducive environment. As a health extension worker to create supportive environment you should work with your community and local leaders. Think about activities you can do to create supportive environment.

E. Developing / Increasing Personal Health Skills

This major aspect of health promotion concerned about building the capacity of the community by health information and education at individual, family and community level. To do so first take in account values, beliefs and customs of the community and build on existing knowledge and attitudes. Then you can easily guide and support them in developing skills (not imposed on them). One major thing to be considered here is capacity building is not an overnight activity, it is a continuous process at all stages of life.