Health Promotion Practice

Abstract

Practice is the face of health promotion; it is a grassroots, ground-up approach to addressing health inequities, social injustices and improving population health outcomes. Some practitioners find a niche in traditional health promotion environments such as evaluation, advocacy, or policy. Other practitioners embark on new ventures like consultancy or emergent endeavors like politics. Either way, health promotion practitioners are passionate about the populations they serve and believe they can make a difference to health and social outcomes. For some practitioners, health promotion is an art. The art of implementing good evidence-based activities in culturally nuanced and intrinsically complex settings. The art of understanding diverse and unique communication at different times, at different levels, in different ways and adapting rapidly. The art of persistent complexities in shared visions and competing agendas in collaborative efforts. The art of entrepreneurial leadership. For other practitioners, health promotion is a science. For example, some practitioners might work in a learning environment which uses theory-driven approaches and critical reflexivity. Others may work in research settings where examining root causes of for example, health, health determinants or health inequities and generating new knowledge are prioritized. Regardless, the art and science of health promotion are not discrete entities and are intrinsically intertwined – the sum is greater than the whole. The art and science of health promotion need each other because they are both required to challenge the discipline to always do better.