Health promotion Essay

The 21st century poses vast challenges for public wellness, with environmental threats, cultural diversity and an ever aging population. The role of wellness promotion is as important as ever, within this assignment I will look at the issues we face and the techniques used to alter public acquaintance and behaviour. One definition widely highlighted from the World Health Organisation states that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being (WHO 1947). This definition encompasses the indicators of poor health but does seem to view health as something that is quite conventional and static. This can be contrasted to a definition from Parsons who defines health as the state of optimum capacity for an individual for the legal performance of the roles and designates for which they have been socialised (Parsons 1971). Here we ar viewing health as something maintained to the monetary standard needed for us to perform our lifestyles. Health promotion is of great a pprehension not only for the NHS but also many other groups that are conglomerate in health care such as social, environmental and welfare practices. At its core is the intention of empowering individuals and communities to allow greater view as of their health by providing information, education and support.Varying methods and strategies are used to change peoples perceptions of health, with the aim of working toward the creation of stronger communities and improved future health for all. The health notion model emphasises the function of beliefs and perceptions in human conclusiveness making. Originally developed by Rosenstock in 1966 it looks to predict patterns in health behaviour, such as willingness to deal in vaccinations and act upon health advice. It suggests that the factors that g all overn an individual changing their behaviour are based around an assessmentof how feasible change is and the benefits provided. It puts forward the appraisal that people need relevance or a trigger to initiate decision making (Naidoo, Wills 1994). This model incorporates Banduras concept of self-efficacy. This suggests that an individual must intend they have the capability and insight to see an intended behaviour change through (Bandura 1991).The empowerment model seeks to expand the individuals capability to control their own health. This model facilitates a move toward change by building an individuals sense of worth and identity, allowing them to indentify their own health concerns (Naidoo, Wills 1994). It aims to develop decision making and problem solving skills, giving the individual the tools needed to see changes through with independent thought and action. This model can be very effective for young people who sometimes struggle to make independent decisions and are susceptible to peer and environmental pressures. There is a strong relationship in the midst of employment and health. The main negative being occupational ill health, this can be an issue for many people working within manual calling roles, as well as people working in stressful high pressure environments. Its shown that having little or no control over work processes and being in lower positions can contribute to ill health (Marmot et al 2006). Unemployment is of a greater risk to ill health than employment, despicable people into work can be seen as a health promotion in its own right. Employment brings higher living standards, more usable income, improved confidence and wellbeing. Gender is still a large determinant, men generally work in more manual roles and take poorer care of their health overall. Loosing work can actually double the risk of a middle aged man dying within the following five years. Evidently in that location are strong links between employment and mens wellbeing. Men over the age of 65 are also three and a half times more at risk of developing coronary heart disease than women (DH, 1998). Mens life expectancy still lags rear end that of wo men and within Europe there are large inequalities in life expectancy. These differences are greatest in men, where as the difference between the best and defeat countries for male life expectancy is 17 years, for women it is 12 (BBC, 2013). Clearly there are health inequalities within gender that need to be addressed.The promotional tend stoptober is clearly targeted toward working classes the majority of the subjects pictured are in uniforms that are associated with lower paid roles. There is evidence tosuggest that smoking related deaths are higher amongst poorer social classes (ASH, 2006). The branding used is very simple and appeals to peoples logic through the use planning, note making and goals toward quitting. This appeals to the individual and gives a greater sense of empowerment and personal involvement in the process of creating change. The campaign seems to utilise the stages of change model, the process is broken down into stages and encourages involvement in the pla nning process. Initially encouraging the participant to write down why they are taking part (contemplation) and then take part in a planning process (preparing to change) along with accepting extra support (Prochaska, DiClemente 1992). Evidence from studies shows that when people are involved in a planning process there is a higher probability they will succeed (McLeod, Clark 1993).There is no mention of the harms of smoking and shock tactics are not used. Raising sentiency of the dangers is clearly not enough and more personal tactics are used. With addictive habits highlighting the negative consequences does not seem to help create behavioural change, clearly short term gratification is a greater incentive than long term harm (Nanidoo, Wills, 1996, pg 182). There is a very collaborative tonicity behind the promotional material with comments like youre not in this alone and were with you all the way. There is clear intent to show that the task of quitting is achievable and by any one. As Bandura states seeing people similar to oneself succeed by sustained effort raises observers beliefs that they too possess the capabilities to succeed (Bandura 1994). This is clearly a core strategy of this campaign, when we see someone succeeding this helps to increase own self efficacy. Health has broad range of definitions and many see health as an all encompassing ideal state. Some however acknowledge that a functional state of health can be achieved despite the presence of indisposition or disease. The role of health promotion is to help people work towards their personal health potential, at the same time reducing the strain on services. With the recent rises in poverty there is clearly demand for new and effective health promotions. Stoptober meets these needs well by using tried and well-tried health promotion techniques. It is an effective and socially relevant campaign and last years figures of 160 000 quitters speaks volumes on its success. Word count 1100Refere ncesASH (2006) Major Online social function Project Shows Iron Chain Between Smoking and Deprivation http//www.ash.org.uk/media-room/press-releases/major-online-mapping-project-shows-iron-chain-between-smoking-and-deprivation. (Accessed 02/11/13)Bandura, A. (1991). Self-efficacy mechanism in physiological activation and preventing behaviours. Cambridge University press Bandura, A. (1995). Self-efficacy in changing societies. Cambridge University bosom BBC (2013) European men lag behind in life expectancy. 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