 Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health. To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, an individual or group must be able to identify
and to realise aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore, seen as a resource
for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. Therefore, health promotion is not just the responsibility of the health sector, but goes beyond healthy lifestyles to well–being.
Injury is designated a priority issue within the health sector. A national priority document – The National Injury Prevention Plan; Priorities for 2002 –2003 represents a broad framework for national activity in areas of high priority. Four priority areas for immediate action have been identified.
These include the prevention of:
Falls in older people
Falls in children
Drowning and near-drowning
Poisoning in children
These priorities were selected on the basis of:
Evidence of injury burden and potential gains
Effectiveness, cost-benefit and acceptability of a range of interventions; and
A clear and actionable role of the health sector
(Commonwealth of Australia 2001).
Effective injury prevention relies on a mixture of strategies and methods. The three primary strategies, widely recognised as effective in preventing injuries are education/behaviour change, technology/engineering and legislation/enforcement. Each of these strategies incorporate a wide range of methods relevant to health promotion.
 Community-based, non government organisations have a role in enhancing the ability of community members, on individual and collective bases, to take active responsibility for their own health and well-being. This is achieved through providing:
Advocacy on behalf of consumer groups
Education and information
Professional development and education
Community consultation and representation
Strategic partnerships with other organisations, the government,
business and industry sectors
Development and implementation of strategies at a local level
|
