Content
Discussion
Factors
The
range of factors affecting health are both multiple and inter-related.
Health promotion practice is fundamentally concerned with addressing
the determinants of health—including:
 the
lifestyle factors related to the actions of individuals, such
as health-related behaviours (e.g., smoking, diet and physical
activity);
broader
factors such as income, education, employment and working conditions,
and social and physical environments.
These
factors, in combination, create the conditions determining health
status at the individual and community level.
Building
on Strengths and Assets
Wherever
possible, health promotion practice builds on positive factors
promoting the health of individuals and communities. Examples of
these strengths and assets include community leaders, existing programs
and services, strong social networks, or institutions and events
in the community that bring people together.
A
focus on strengths and assets is an important value that helps
to distinguish health promotion from concepts such as disease
prevention and population health, which focus mainly on the elimination
of problems, health risks and deficits contributing to illness
and poor health outcomes.
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