Health Promotion International, Vol. 14, No. 1, 5-6,
March 1999
© Oxford University Press 1999
Editorial |
New horizons for health: from vision to practice
Regional Editor, Central and South America The theme, New Horizons for Health: From Vision to Practice, served as the framework for the XVI World Conference of Health Promotion and Health Education held from 21 to 26 June, 1998 in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The event was organized by the International Union of Health Promotion and Education and the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Puerto Rico. During the Conference, the topics of equity, empowerment, environment, economy and future challenges were elaborated. The conference facilitated a broad analysis of the health promotion movement on the global level and presented challenges for the future. This article presents some of the issues that dominated the conference discussions and that could elucidate a profile of the current situation of world-wide health promotion. Most of the observations and comments correspond to the experiences in the health promotion field in Latin American countries.
Based on the Conference discussions, it is clear that the health promotion movement, in developed as well as developing countries, continues to be characterized in the following ways:
- Ample focus on the conceptualization processes and the definition of philosophical and strategic aspects of health promotion. Attention continues to focus on the discussions of health promotion and on the possibilities and limitation of the movement internationally. The process is directed toward attaining an interpretive consensus of the significance of health promotion and to promote actions adaptive to the principles and strategies of health promotion on national levels. It is argued that while international health institutions have disseminated the principles and policies for health promotion there is confusion in many countries about how to articulate health promotion directives within the existing structures, in social services and in health in general. Likewise, the effects of the conceptual and operative transitions have manifested themselves in other fields of health education and health promotion, resulting in serious debates in the formal health services structures in different countries. This situation is most apparent in countries with ample development in the health education disciplines and with experience in the formation of human resources in this area.
- The institutionalization of health promotion programs in government, private and community-based organizations. This refers to the expansionist policy of health promotion in institutions and formal programs in the public, private and community realms, with views of achieving permanence and sustainment of health promotion actions.
- Relative strengthening of the ideology of social and community participation. Theoreticians as well as researchers and direct service personnel all expressed the need to strengthen social and community participation. As Rigoberta Menchú, 1993 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and keynote speaker at the XVI World Conference pointed out, ‘if an adequate response is not found from those who exercise the power, citizens participation fulfils a limited function’. In this respect, the need to transcend the historical rhetoric about social and community participation in the area of health is clear. The priority and invitation is directed toward harmonizing interests, human potential and the capacity for action from groups and communities with the sectors of power that make the fundamental decisions about life.
The Conference clearly presented the concerns and barriers of global level to achieve aspirations for health promotion. The analysis reflected the lack of valuable consensus on the global level regarding the extent and effectiveness of actions relating to health promotions in different countries. The need to use efficient evaluation mechanisms of health promotion activities was thus raised. With relation to the organizational structures for health promotion, the different countries continue to criticize the lack of support and guarantees from central governments in providing adequate resources for these activities.
Intervention strategies associated with health promotion are well established in many countries, but the serious problems of implementation were simultaneously raised. These problems are the focus of integrated and inter-sectoral efforts, the access to sources of power and influence in order to promote structural changes, and the promotion of public policies that benefit people's health.
The meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, highlighted the relative progress, the need and the setbacks in health promotion and health education on the international level with views to collectively build new horizons for health in the new millennium.
REFERENCES
Arroyo, H. (1998) Opening Address, XVI World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education.
Menchú, R. (1998) Poder Local y Participatiòn Ciudadana. Ponencia presentada eu la XVI Conferencia Mundial de Promocion de la Salud y Educaciòn para la Salud.
Vargas, J. (1998) Salud y Ambiente, Conflicto entre la Palabra y la Acciòn. Ponencia presentada en la XVI Conferencia Mundial de Promociòn de la Salud y Educaciòn para la Salud.
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