Content
Discussion
Four Broad
Categories of Theories
This module
presents four broad categories of health promotion theories for
your consideration:
theories explaining health behaviour change in individuals
theories explaining
change in communities
theories explaining
change in organizations
theories explaining
the development of healthy public policy
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You
should note that the theories discussed under each of
the four broad categories share a number of common features.
As you read through this discussion, think about those
features and the practical considerations they may raise
in the work you do.
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Some Considerations
When Reviewing Theories
When considering
theories for developing health promotion programs, it’s important
to remember these next four points.
There
are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ theories, just different
ways of looking at health issues.
Theories should
be viewed as ‘guidelines’ for understanding change and
developing appropriate programs, not ‘absolute’ rules
or laws governing how change takes place.
Many of the theories
discussed in this module are based on very narrow assumptions
about individual behaviour change and do not adequately account
for the social, economic and environmental determinants shaping
an individual’s ability to make health choices.
Theories should
never be applied without a thorough understanding of the individuals,
groups, organizations and communities you are working with to
bring about health promoting changes.
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