Content
Discussion
Four Key
Values
Empowerment
Empowerment
is a process through which people gain greater control over
the decisions and actions affecting their health (Nutbeam, 1998).
Empowerment has been identified as health-enhancing (Wallerstein,
1993; Labonte, 1994; Rissel, 1994). Wallerstein (1993) identifies
three conditions related to empowerment and health:
 social
networks
community participation
community competence.
Assessments
of community interventions promoting these conditions have identified
a number of positive health impacts including increased levels of
social support, enhanced coping capacities, increased life satisfaction
and decreased susceptibility to illness (Minkler, 1997; Fawcett
et al., 2001).
Social Justice and Equity
A large body
of research has shown that poverty and income inequality are the
greatest causes or determinants of health status. Simply
put, low-income Canadians are more likely to die younger and suffer
more illness than Canadians with higher income regardless of age,
sex, race or place of residence (Second Report on Health of Canadians,
1999).
Accordingly,
health promotion practice reflects a concern with social justice
to ensure that everyone has equitable access to food, income,
employment, shelter, education and other factors needed to maintain
good health.
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