From where I sit in Australia, I see difference between QOL and HC.  Both
are outcomes, both may be seen as a strategy to achieve the other.  What may
matter most is how you go about the business of achieving either.  Any
project can proceed in a top down way or a bottom up way but it may remain a
question as to which was most effective in the circumstances in achieving
what you are measuring.  The problem may be more semantic and looking
through the lens to magnify differences, rather than the bigger picture as
seen from the other end.  This unit (The Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Unit)
has been researching QOL following completion of its Healthy Communities
Survey.  Soren Ventegodt ("Measuring the Quality of Life- from theory to
practice", Quality of Life Research Centre, Copenhagen Forskningscentrets
Forlag 1996) postulates eight dimensions for the purposes of measuring QOL.
This view seems to best represent the development of some thinking here.
Putting at  front and centre community members' perceptions of the
influences upon their lives of community and personal factors does not alter
the overall defining of QOL, for such perceptions are only one element of
the broader notion.  The need to emphasise an element may be required for
political or organisational reasons but other factors cannot be disregarded.

In Australia, Healthy Cities and the Victorian Healthy Localities Project
with municipal councils both require that peoples perceptions and
participation in projects are at the core of the approach rather than the
focus of the community or driver of the project.

Regards Alan



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Theresa Schumilas [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, 3 August 1999 0:42
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      quality of life vs healthy communities?
>
> Its been some time since I posted - but I've been stuck in a muddle and
> need some fresh perspective I think.
>
> How would you - as a HP practitioner - tell me about the difference
> between healthy communities projects and quality of life projects?  Or
> would you say, they are the same thing, they just arose from different
> academic parenthood.
>
> Imagine - I'm on a team working with you, and I come from a completely
> different academic perspective.  What references would you refer me to?
> How would you help me to clarify these concepts?
>
> It seems to me that there is academic literature which differentiates
> these concepts somewhat - but I can also come up with practice examples
> of each which seem to blur the difference.    For example,  first I was
> thinking that the main difference was that healthy communities projects
> worked within an empowerment philosophy,  and focus on giving choice and
> voice to the vulnerable.  But,  when I consider some examples (and I'd
> like to hear your examples too),  its seems like both healthy
> communities projects and quality of life projects  might or might not be
> using empowering approaches.  I can think of very "top down" or
> "bureaurcratic" examples of healthy communities projects and of quality
> of life projects and vica versa.
>
> So,  if the proof of the pudding is in the eating (versus the recipee
> design) than I'm not sure I taste a difference.
>
> Then I feel very uneasy about the lack of a difference   and  I can't
> quite figure out why.  So, I'm muddled.  Your views would help I think.