Exploring the place of spirituality in Canadian health promotion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Gerhardt-Strachan
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
Commission Report ◽  
Social Environmental

Abstract The field of health promotion advocates a socioecological approach to health that addresses a variety of physical, social, environmental, political and cultural factors. Encouraging a holistic approach, health promotion examines many aspects of health and wellbeing, including physical, mental, sexual, community, social and ecological health. Despite this holism, there is a noticeable absence of discussion surrounding spirituality and spiritual health. This research study explored how leading scholars in Canadian health promotion understand the place of spirituality in health promotion. Using the fourth edition of Health Promotion in Canada (Rootman et al., 2017) as the sampling frame of recognized leaders in the field, 13 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with authors from the book. This study is situated within a critical health promotion approach that utilizes methodologies aiming for social justice, equity and ecological sustainability. I argue that by avoiding spirituality within health promotion frameworks and education, the secularism of health promotion and its underlying values of Eurocentric knowledge production and science remain invisible and rarely critiqued. This study intends to open up possibilities for centering spiritual and non-Western epistemologies and ways of knowing that have been marginalized, such as Indigenous understandings of health and wellbeing. Restoring right relations with Indigenous peoples in Canada has taken on new urgency with the calls to action of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission report (NCTR, 2015). This is one important way that health promotion can fulfill its promise of being inclusive, relevant and effective for human and planetary wellbeing.

Health Promotion and Wellness in Aging

2020 ◽  
pp. 12-28
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Campos de Sousa Faria
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Aging And Health ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Psychological View ◽  
Five Axes

The older population is growing and living longer than ever. That is why we must create more and more services suitable for this age group, so that it can grow old with quality of life. In order to better understand their needs and the type of intervention which can be implemented in the community to protect the health and wellbeing in this age group, from the age of 65, the authors have sought to identify and understand the synergies they can establish between health promotion and wellness in aging. To take this task forward, they focused their attention on five axes: principles of health promotion, social representations of aging, the focus on gender in the analysis of aging and health, empowering and wellbeing of older adults, and healthy aging in place. In this work they start from a bio-psycho-social-environmental view of aging and present the contributions of the psychological view for promoting health in aging. At the end, a reflexive synthesis will be carried out on the topics covered and suggestions will be presented to improve the health and wellbeing of aging in place.

scholarly journals Constructing better health and wellbeing? Understanding structural constraints on promoting health and wellbeing in the UK construction industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmée Sinéad Hanna ◽  
Steven Markham
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Health And Well Being

Purpose The construction industry has high rates of work-related ill health. Whilst there have been more recent calls for a “health like safety” narrative within the industry, health has still predominantly been viewed via health risks rather than a more holistic conceptualisation of health and well-being. The workplace is viewed as a fruitful site for health promotion work, yet we know little about the possibilities and promise of health promotion within the construction industry. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper explores the views of stakeholders with health-related roles and responsibilities within the UK construction industry. From the 21 semi-structured qualitative interviews, thematic analysis was conducted and two key themes emerged: the construction industry as anti-health promoting and understanding industry-specific health issues. Findings The construction industry faces significant constraint in attempting to promote better health and well-being due to its makeup, yet the health and well-being issues of the industry notably stress, and early retirement are major issues for both the industry and individuals. Practical implications The authors argue that only through understanding the structural constraints of the industry in this way can the possibilities and potentials for undertaking health promotion work be fully embedded within the industry in order to help create meaningful change for both employees and the industry as a whole. Originality/value This paper offers insight into the challenges that exist within construction for promoting positive employee health and well-being and takes an in-depth approach to exploring why health promotion may not be occurring within the industry.

scholarly journals Grand Challenges, Feminist Answers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 263178772110203
Author(s):  
Yvonne Benschop
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Situated Knowledge ◽  
Feminist Ethics ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Grand Challenges ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Feminist Organization

Feminist organization theories develop knowledge about how organizations and processes of organizing shape and are shaped by gender, in intersection with race, class and other forms of social inequality. The politics of knowledge within management and organization studies tend to marginalize and silence feminist theorizing on organizations, and so the field misses out on the interdisciplinary, sophisticated conceptualizations and reflexive modes of situated knowledge production provided by feminist work. To highlight the contributions of feminist organization theories, I discuss the feminist answers to three of the grand challenges that contemporary organizations face: inequality, technology and climate change. These answers entail a systematic critique of dominant capitalist and patriarchal forms of organizing that perpetuate complex intersectional inequalities. Importantly, feminist theorizing goes beyond mere critique, offering alternative value systems and unorthodox approaches to organizational change, and providing the radically different ways of knowing that are necessary to tackle the grand challenges. The paper develops an aspirational ideal by sketching the contours of how we can organize for intersectional equality, develop emancipatory technologies and enact a feminist ethics of care for the human and the natural world.

scholarly journals Boosting urban health and well-being through cross-sectoral cooperation

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Liinamo ◽  
K Matinheikki-Kokko ◽  
I Gobina ◽  
A Villeruša
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Baltic Sea Region ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract In the future, health promotion would require developed strategies that lead to stronger cross-sectoral cooperation. Cross-sectoral cooperation enables the integration of fragmented resources and competencies, which benefit service solutions for urban health. Healthy Boost “Urban Labs for Better Health for All in the Baltic Sea Region”, funded by the EU Interreg Baltic Sea Region -program, aims to develop the Model for cross-sectoral cooperation, which will be tested in the cities of the Baltic Sea Region during 2020-21. The self-assessment tool for cross-sectoral cooperation was developed, and the self-assessment among the nine cities in seven countries from the Baltic Sea Region was conducted in 2019. The results indicated to what extent the staff (n = 329) in the cities have recognized the cross-sectoral cooperation for health and wellbeing as strategically crucial in their policies, communication, and in the design of their organizational functions. The daily practices were evaluated in terms of how systematically cities have implemented cross-sector actions for health and wellbeing. The biggest challenges for cooperating across sectors for the cities were coordination and systematic identification of the community needs for health promotion. The cooperative actions were less systematic than expected in the strategic approach. The variation among respondents' assessments was high within the cities that lead to a conclusion about existing gaps in coordination, communication, and leadership of cross-sectoral work within the cities. The Likert type self-assessment measurement was statistically reliable in both strategic and operational dimensions of cooperation. Key messages Evaluation and measurements are needed to identify cross-sectoral actions to health and well-being. The evidence-based Model developed in the Healthy Boost project will guide partners towards systematic cross-sectoral cooperation processes.

scholarly journals Mental health promotion competencies in the health sector in Finland: a qualitative study of the views of professionals

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Nina Tamminen ◽  
Pia Solin ◽  
Eija Stengård ◽  
Lasse Kannas ◽  
Tarja Kettunen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Personal Attitudes

Aims: In this study, we aimed to investigate what competencies are needed for mental health promotion in health sector practice in Finland. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out to seek the views of mental health professionals regarding mental health promotion-related competencies. The data were collected via two focus groups and a questionnaire survey of professionals working in the health sector in Finland. The focus groups consisted of a total of 13 professionals. Further, 20 questionnaires were received from the questionnaire survey. The data were analysed using the qualitative data analysis software ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH, Berlin. A content analysis was carried out. Results: In total, 23 competencies were identified and clustered under the categories of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and personal attitudes and values. In order to promote mental health, it is necessary to have a knowledge of the principles and concepts of mental health promotion, including methods and tools for effective practices. Furthermore, a variety of skills-based competencies such as communication and collaboration skills were described. Personal attitudes and values included a holistic approach and respect for human rights, among others. Conclusions: The study provides new information on what competencies are needed to plan, implement and evaluate mental health promotion in health sector practice, with the aim of contributing to a more effective workforce. The competencies provide aid in planning training programmes and qualifications, as well as job descriptions and roles in health sector workplaces related to mental health promotion.

Osteomyelitis, diabetic foot ulcers and the role of the community nurse

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Sup6) ◽  
pp. S6-S9
Author(s):  
Melanie Lumbers
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Foot ◽  
Foot Ulcer ◽  
Diabetic Foot Ulcer ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Community Nurse ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Community nurses face numerous challenges in both diagnosing and effectively treating their patients. The diabetic patient has complex needs requiring a holistic approach. With a reported increase in diabetic patients, and a possible decline in some routine screening following Covid-19 pandemic, complications in diabetic patients are likely to rise. It is estimated that 25% of diabetic patients will develop a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), with a reported 43% of DFU already infected at first presentation to a health professional. NICE categorise the level of infection in DFU based on standardised assessments such as SINBAD. A high categorised DFU has the possibility of osteomyelitis. It is imperative that osteomyelitis is treated immediately to achieve positive outcomes, benefitting the patients' health and wellbeing in addition to reducing the financial implications to the NHS.

Visioning the future of health promotion

2021 ◽  
pp. 175797592110357
Author(s):  
Ilona Kickbusch
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Human Impact ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Public Purpose ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
Sustainable Societies ◽  
Transformative Approach ◽  
Improve Health

COVID-19 has shown us clearly that the world must commit to a transformative approach that promotes health and wellbeing. Living in the Anthropocene – an epoch defined by human impact on our ecosystems – moves us into unknown territory. The challenge is to find a way of living that aims to meet the needs of all people within the means of the living planet. We will require foresight, agility and resilience to be well prepared. The global risks we face are enormous and they are interconnected – yet the opportunity to accelerate change for the better is extraordinary as well. We have models, knowledge and technologies at our disposal that could significantly improve health and wellbeing and create fairer and more sustainable societies – yet they have not been used widely to serve the public purpose and to address inequities.

Health Promotion in the Workplace – The Merging of the Paradigms

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (02) ◽  
pp. 278-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yassi
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
The Individual

Summary Purpose: To synthesize the lessons from both occupational health and health promotion, to improve workplace health. Approach: This article briefly outlines the evolution in defining and understanding health promotion as well as current thinking in occupational health and safety.It also discusses an approach taken in the healthcare sector in British Columbia, Canada, where evidence-based practices and collaboration became the cornerstones to bringing about change and achieve impressive cost-beneficial results in healthcare workforce health. Conclusion: Traditionally, workplace health promotion and occupational health and safety have been two solitudes. Workplace health promotion is rooted in ‘wellness’ and healthy lifestyle choices, while occupational health is heavily dictated by workplace health and safety requirements and legislation. Recently however, there has been increasing recognition of the need for a more holistic approach that focusses on workplace culture, addressing both primary and secondary prevention [1], as well as interventions aimed both at the individual as well as the organisation [2].

Future directions for the concept of salutogenesis: a position article

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
G F Bauer ◽  
M Roy ◽  
P Bakibinga ◽  
P Contu ◽  
S Downe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Promotion And Education ◽  
Salutogenic Model ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Aaron Antonovsky advanced the concept of salutogenesis almost four decades ago (Antonovsky, Health, Stress and Coping. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, 1979; Unravelling the Mystery of Health. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, 1987). Salutogenesis posits that life experiences shape the sense of coherence (SOC) that helps to mobilize resources to cope with stressors and manage tension successfully (determining one’s movement on the health Ease/Dis-ease continuum). Antonovsky considered the three-dimensional SOC (i.e. comprehensibility, manageability, meaningfulness) as the key answer to his question about the origin of health. The field of health promotion has adopted the concept of salutogenesis as reflected in the international Handbook of Salutogenesis (Mittelmark et al., The Handbook of Salutogenesis. Springer, New York, 2016). However, health promotion mostly builds on the more vague, general salutogenic orientation that implies the need to foster resources and capacities to promote health and wellbeing. To strengthen the knowledge base of salutogenesis, the Global Working Group on Salutogenesis (GWG-Sal) of the International Union of Health Promotion and Education produced the Handbook of Salutogenesis. During the creation of the handbook and the regular meetings of the GWG-Sal, the working group identified four key conceptual issues to be advanced: (i) the overall salutogenic model of health; (ii) the SOC concept; (iii) the design of salutogenic interventions and change processes in complex systems; (iv) the application of salutogenesis beyond health sector. For each of these areas, we first highlight Antonovsky’s original contribution and then present suggestions for future development. These ideas will help guide GWG-Sal’s work to strengthen salutogenesis as a theory base for health promotion.

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