In response to recent communications on CLICK4HP, I have the
following thoughts about the danger of stereotyping
Americans with respect to health promotion.

Although I do not carry any brief for the United States or,
in particular, its health care system, I have come to
realize that I risk unfairly stereotyping all Americans.  My
own experiences, especially within the past 12 months, has
led me to appreciate that, while many (most?) Americans are
unaware of the Ottawa Charter (why should they be, since
they were not part of the WHO-Euro group involved in its
conception?), many Americans are very aware of the Charter
or, at least, the values, principles and strategies embodied
in the Charter (e.g., the Urban Research Centres funded by
the Centres for Disease Control).  (An additional thought:
how many Canadians, including those that might be expected
to know about the Ottawa Charter, have ever heard of the
Charter, let alone have read the Charter?).

In addition, my own experience living, working and studying
 in the United States has led me to conclude (sometimes
against my initial prejudices) that a large minority (at
least) of its citizens are very concerned about the state of
their health care system and, moreover, are very concerned
about social justice issues in their society and elsewhere
around the world.  Furthermore, to be a little provocative,
it is my feeling that many of our American neighbours are
more radical about these issues than we Canadians (i.e.,
they are more prepared to put their values into action).

Finally, I am coming to the conclusion that, although many
Americans (and Canadians) limit their focus to individual
lifestyle issues when talking about health promotion and, in
turn, limit their health promotion strategies to narrowly
defined health education, there is a growing shift towards
taking a broader ecological perspective to health education
(as reflected in the SOPHE/AAHE Competency-based Framework
for Professional Development of Certified Health Education
Specialists--see "Health Education & Behavior", 1997, vol.
24(2), 137-150).

So, my own conclusion (i.e., for myself), is to be careful
about my blinders, stereotypes and prejudices; they might be
doing an injustice to others, and might limit my own
capacities to make a difference in this world.

Take care.

Michael Goodstadt


Michael Goodstadt Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Centre for Health Promotion
University of Toronto
Banting Institute
100 College Street, Suite #207
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada
M5G 1L5

Phone:  (416) 978-6861
Fax:    (416) 971-1365

e-mail: <[log in to unmask]>