Health Promotion Theory

This fully updated edition will help students and professionals develop an understanding of the core health promotion theories.



Part of the Understanding Public Health series, this book offers students and practitioners an accessible exploration of the origins and development of health promotion. It highlights the philosophical, ethical and political debates that influence health promotion today while also explaining the theories, frameworks and methodologies that help us understand public health problems and develop effective health promotion responses.

The book focuses on the practical application of theory and implementation of health promotion activities in a variety of contexts, making it suitable for readers from a range of backgrounds. Case studies and activities are drawn from a variety of international settings to offer a global perspective and insights as to what effective practice looks like.

The new edition has been comprehensively updated as follows:

• Additional, new and more challenging activities for readers to try out as they read
• Offers more in-depth coverage of key determinants of health and how these interact with health promotion
• Revised structure to allow more depth of coverage of health promotion theory
• Updated material and case examples that reflect contemporary health promotion challenges

Health Promotion Theory, Second edition is an ideal resource for students of public health and health policy, public health practitioners and policy makers.

Understanding Public Health is an innovative series published by Open University Press in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, where it is used as a key learning resource for postgraduate programmes. It provides self-directed learning covering the major issues in public health affecting low, middle and high income countries.

Series Editors: Rosalind Plowman and Nicki Thorogood.

Contributors: Franklin Apfel, Virginia Berridge, Sara Cooper, Liza Cragg, Maggie Davies, Nick Fahy, Adam Fletcher, Ford Hickson, Anis Kazi, Wendy Macdowall, Alex Mold, Antony Morgan, Don Nutbeam, Mark Petticrew, Morten Skovdal and Nicki Thorogood.

"Health Promotion Theory authoritatively guides the reader through the history of health promotion, its underlying politics, values and theoretical perspectives. New information is introduced in easily digestible chunks, before being reinforced with simple, effective learning activities. The book will make an excellent contribution to foundational learning and teaching in Health Promotion."
Dr Graham Moore, Research Fellow, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, UK

"A readable and engaging overview of health promotion theory and practice from a public health perspective. This book offers an excellent starting point for those wanting to develop their appreciation of what health promotion entails."
Professor Peter Aggleton, Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales, Australia