Delivering the Science and the Art of Health Promotion

Robert F. Allen
Symbol of HOPE
Award

From the Editor
Editor's Notes May/June 2008

A Billion Deaths from Tobacco and Cuts in Tobacco Prevention Funding

The World Health Organization released a report that concludes one billion people will die globally from tobacco use in this century,¹ more than those who will die from any other single cause. Have we seen mobilization of funds to address this scourge? Not in the United States. In fact, funding for community tobacco programs continues to be cut, and the decline in smoking rates in the U.S. has stalled at 20.8% since 2004 after seven straight years of decline.² v read more

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The field of health promotion is entering its fourth decade of existence. Programs are established in business, community, clinical, commercial fitness center and school settings. Positive health outcomes are consistently achieved. Cost reduction is common. Nevertheless, the field has still not reached consensus on the most effective methods.   v read more
 

Definition of Health Promotion

"Health promotion is the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health.  Optimal health is defined as a balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health.  Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of efforts to enhance awareness, change behavior and create environments that support good health practices.  Of the three, supportive environments will probably have the greatest impact in producing lasting change".  (American Journal of Health Promotion, 1989,3,3,5)

Physical Fitness.  Nutrition.  Medical self-care.  Control of substance abuse. Emotional Care for emotional crisis.  Stress Management Social Communities.  Families.  Friends Intellectual Educational.  Achievement.  Career development Spiritual Love.  Hope.  Charity.

Our definition of health promotion guides the editorial content of all of our publications.v read more

American Journal of Health Promotion |  248-682-0707