Health promotion strategies overview

Health promotion strategies include a whole range of possibilities - from an individually focused brief intervention through to the development of a national health promoting policy. Strategies are "the method or range of methods you are going to use in the program [project] to achieve the objectives; that is, how you will do it (Abbott 1990:9)."

Health promotion uses strategies focused on individuals, groups and communities to bring about behavioural and environmental changes which lead to better health. These strategies are illustrated in the following diagram.

Things to think about when choosing strategies

• All strategies are potentially useful but combinations of strategies are likely to produce the best results
• The strategy has to match the objective. The strategy selected will depend on what the project is trying to achieve and with whom
• Some knowledge about current health issues (content) and knowledge about the best ways to approach them (process) are both important. Libraries and other health professionals are valuable resources
• An understanding of team members' potential and limitations should be considered when choosing strategies. Additional training may be necessary
• Strategies for lessening individual risk are important. Use them to complement strategies which lower average risk in a whole community (Egger et al 1990:113)

Some questions to ask

When considering which strategy or combination of strategies to use, think about the following questions:

• who is the project for?
• what are the objectives of the project? What does it want to achieve?
• what does the community think the best strategies would be?
• how ready and willing are people to become involved?
• how long have you got to do the project? · what skills and knowledge do project team members have individually and collectively?
• what resources (human, financial and material) are needed? What is available?

See the chapter 'Planning and Evaluating a Health Promotion Project'

Contact list: Health Promotion Units

For further information and assistance in planning a health promotion project or for available training opportunities, contact local Health Promotion staff