To: CLICK41 --INTERNET [log in to unmask]

My interest in the discussion of health promotion has a rather convoluted
origin. First, I believe health promotion is important. Second, the more
people who get behind health promotion and support and promote it, the more I
think it can acheive results.

I spent over twenty years of my life as a family doctor (before I became
involved with government). I did my best to work for disease and injury
prevention, and some health promotion - as I think the majority of family
doctors do - only to be told by "health promotionists" that doctors are
immersed in the biomedical model and don't do any health promotion. Not the
best way to get my cooperation, but what the hay, lets see what they mean by
health promotion. Would you believe it, what they call health promotion looks
a lot like primitive disease and injury prevention and they aren't half as
effective at is as the family docotrs they denigrate!

I have put lots of colour in this note in order to try to make some points
briefly.

Bottom line for me is: we need lots of friends, let's not allow the careless
use of language and examples to turn potential allies into opponents.

Howard Platt, M.B.,Ch.B., Director
Management Support Branch       Voice 604.952.2635
Ministry of Health              Fax   604.952.1417
Victoria, B.C, V8W 3C8          Internet [log in to unmask]