Health Promotion
Why Health Promotion?
Health Promotion within the community health sector provides a unique opportunity for local level community lead action which addresses factors that impact on community and individual lives and therefore ones ability to be healthy and have a sense of wellbeing.
What is Health Promotion
Health Promotion combines a range of activities directed at promoting the health of individuals and populations and preventing ill health; and is underpinned by the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the Human Rights framework which declares the right of all people to a standard of living adequate for health.
A link to the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion is Here
A link to the Declaration of Human Rights is Here
Health Promotion is a practice and theory based on the World Health Organisation perspective that health is a complete state of physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
A link to the World Health Organisation is Here
'This means that Health Promotion is concerned with developing people's physical, social, economic, domestic and work environments to support their health and wellbeing. Health promotion also emphasises developing the ability of people to influence and shape their own environments and health, especially when they act collectively,' (Deakin University, School of Health and Social Development Website, www.deakin.edu.au/hmnbs/hsd/fieldwork/healthpromotion.php, accessed 30th of April 2009).
At a Community Health level, it is recognised that the best outcomes in health promotion are achieved through the implementation of a range and mix of activities including;
• Advocating and mediating at all levels for public policy which considers and promotes health,
• Mediating and enabling community lead action around issues that impact all aspects of health,
• Providing sustainable health education, knowledge and skill development and raising awareness of things which impact our communities health,
• Advocating, enabling and mediating for the creation of healthy and sustainable community settings and a broader community environment which supports people to be healthy. (This includes not just the physical environment but the social environment as well),
• Advocating and mediating for the reorientation of health services away from a purely 'medical' view of health towards services which recognise all the factors which impact on our ability to be healthy and have a sense of wellbeing.
Further Information
For further information about health promotion theory and practice or how to become a health promotion professional please click here.
Overview
Community Health is underpinned and informed by Health Promotion values and principles including the social model of health. The social model of health is an approach which ensures that community health organisations such as Dianella do not focus just on the medical or physical health needs of the individual or community, but also recognise the effect social, economic, cultural, political and other factors can have on individual lives, and therefore the health of families and the community.
In support of this approach to health, Dianella has a range of Health Promotion activities which work with the community, partners and stakeholders to address some of the things that impact on our social, mental, physical, spiritual and sexual health. We aim to promote health and wellbeing and prevent ill health through enabling, mediating and advocating for social, economic, cultural and physical environments which allow and improve health for all people in our area.
In support of best practice in Health Promotion, DCH has undertaken a local needs analysis to identify State supported organisational Health Promotion priority areas. To view the Victorian Government Department of Human Services Health Promotion Priorities Discussion Paper please click Here.
The following provides some examples of the activities currently conducted under these priority areas by Dianella in partnership with stakeholders and the community:
Priority Areas
Dianella Comuunity Health focuses on four priority areas:
1. Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Newly Arrived Refugee Social Connectedness Development Project
• ATSI Health Promoting Schools Project
• Family Violence Prevention Project
• ATSI promoting access to primary health care
• ATSI Community Arts Project
2. Accessible Nutritious Food
• Food Security Project Development
• Have a Go Peer Education
• Smiles For Miles Pre-School Project
• Smiles For Miles Peer Education Project
• LIFE! Project
3. Physical Activity and Active Communities
• Dianella Heart Foundation Walking Project
• Active Craigieburn Project & Supporting Craigieburn Neighbourhood Renewal
• Enhancing quality of chronic illness programs
• Back to Exercise
• Improving Access to Community Settings for Physical Activity
• Implementation of Active Service approach
4. Reducing and Minimising the Harm from Tobacco
• ATSI Reducing Tobacco Related Harm Project
Link to Operational IHP Plan
To view the Dianella Community Health 2009-10 Operational Health Promotion Plan please click HERE
Get Involved
If you would like to contribute to the health of the community or learn about health promotion practice in a community health setting you may apply to become a Dianella Health Promotion volunteer.
For further information about Health Promotion at Dianella Community Health or to express interest in becoming a volunteer please contact:
Melissa Sapuppo
Health Promotion Unit Manager
email: melissa.sapuppo@dianella.org.au
phone: 03 8345 5151
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