forwarded/copied from the Social Determinants of Health [SDOH] listserv,
as this helpful posting adds to the messages posted by Glenn Laverack and
others. Let's keep the discussion flowing!

Alison Stirling, co-facilitator CLICK4HP health promotion listserv
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thank you to Dr. Ron Labonte and Dr. Laverack for their astute and
much-needed questions. In the following statement Dr. Ilona Kickbusch
encapsulates the sentiments of the British Columbia Coalition for Health
Promotion (BCCHP):

"In my view there is no need to dismantle, revise or improve the Ottawa
Charter – it is a living document with deep vision and practical
orientation. We should let it stand.

But at the same time we should look forward. Let us work towards a
conference outcome that is both as visionary and as resilient as the
Ottawa Charter and complements it in important dimensions.  What it should
be called is part of the democratic process at the conference."


As an Associate member of the International Network of Health Promotion
Foundations, the BCCHP was invited to provide input into a preliminary
draft of the Bangkok Charter. We are a grassroots, voluntary and nonprofit
organization dedicated to the advancement of health promotion in British
Columbia. We do not have the historical background of those involved in
drawing up the Ottawa Charter nor do we have the sophistication of many
who have responded to the Bangkok Charter, but here is what we had to say.

Suggestions to strengthen the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion:

§  It is important to re-state the values and principles of health
promotion directly in the Charter particularly in light of increasing
private sector involvement. Corporate social responsibility is becoming a
global movement. We have a unique opportunity and a responsibility to
ensure that our partners share and exemplify the values that are
consistent with health promotion, e.g., equity, social justice, diversity,
and a caring society that advances individual and community empowerment.

§  Emphasize the underlying determinants of health; this will balance the
current focus on risk factors. The Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion
can influence governments  to move their priorities beyond disease and
lifestyle orientation, i.e., tobacco use, physical inactivity and
unhealthy diet, to address policies and issues associated with:

   - equity in health
   - relief of poverty and income inequality (“Above all poverty is the
greatest threat to health”, Jakarta Declaration)
   - social inclusion
   - healthy living and working conditions
   - conditions of security and wellbeing for all people
   - participation and influence in society, including the degree to which
people have control over their own lives.

§  A clear plan that translates knowledge into action would strengthen the
Charter. The five recommendations for health promotion action outlined in
the Ottawa Charter are as valid today as they were in 1986 but they need
to be followed, funded and implemented.

§ Reinforce the value of strengthening communities through community
development. Community development embodies:

    - the philosophy of health promotion
    - the process that links research to action, outcomes and social change
    - meaningful public/citizen participation
    - programs that have the potential to involve all sectors:
individuals, community voluntary and nonprofit organizations,
frontline personnel, policy-makers, academia, private sector
interests, and government ministries.

§ Place empowerment at the heart of health promotion practice - expand the
leadership component of the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion to
include communities (in addition to the Ministries of Health).  If the
objectives are ownership, capacity-building and sustainability, then we
must strengthen the role and capacity of communities to participate in all
facets of health promotion.

§ Incorporate the importance of funding and evaluating health promotion
initiatives. John Raeburn’s planning and evaluation framework makes good
sense. The steps involved in participatory evaluation are achievable and
applicable to different projects, settings and cultures. This approach to
evaluation is cost effective, solution-focused and supportive of
grassroots competency.


Ronnie Phipps
BC Coalition for Health Promotion
www.vcn.bc.ca/bchpc/

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