Health Promotion Models GCE Health and Social Care

Campaigns aim to:

• Increase people's knowledge and awareness
• Increase fitness
• Prevent illnesses ocurring

E.g. Raising awareness about how important regular exercise is will raise their awareness and knowledge about a health issue, thereby improving their fitness levels and help to prevent heart disease and obesity ocurring.

Aim: To prevent disease through intervention by medical professionals.

Examples include:

• Immunisation schedules
• Cervical smear tests
• Mammography
• Family planning clinics

Pros:

• Popular because it relies of medical science - there's a lot of faith in it
• It's cheaper to prevent than treat - save money
• Able to target specific groups that are more at risk.

Cons:

• People may not take advantage of the intervention available
• Need money, resources and professionals to set up
• Resources may run out

Aim: To provide education about health related matters so that individuals make informed decisions to change the behaviour. Health promoters believe in the rights of the individuals to choose their own lifestyle.

Examples include:

• Leaflets
• Talks at school and health groups on STIs/Alcohol/Diet
• Smoking Cessation groups

Pros:

• Empowers indviduals with knowledge in order to take control of their own lives

Cons:

• People may choose to ignore the advice given - e.g. most smokers know the dangers but still continue to smoke.
• May only modify their behaviour - e.g. someone who takes cocaine may choose to smoke cannabis as they feel it is less risk.
• Peer pressure, life stage, environment and availability of income are also factors.

Aim: To change society rather than the individual, usually applied through local or national legislation.

Examples include:

• Smoking ban
• Healthy eating in schools
• Wearing a seat belt
• Purchasing alcohol and cigarettes age
• Firworks age
• Legal age to have sex
• Ban of happy hour in pubs and clubs

Pros:

• People are more likely to pay attention
• People can be prosecuted if they don't follow legislation

Cons:

• People may choose to ignore the legislation