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The Ottawa Charter is a document that aims to assist government and non-government organisations in implementing the social model of health. Health promotion is the focus of the Ottawa Charter.
According to the Ottawa Charter, health promotion is defined as ‘enabling people to take control over, and to improve, their health.’
The Ottawa Charter
The Ottawa Charter
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion - an approach to health developed by the World Health Organization that aims to reduce inequalities in health. It reflects the social model of health and provides five action areas that can be used as a basis for improving health status, all of which are centred around three strategies for health promotion which are enabling, mediating and advocacy
Advocate
Advocate
Advocacy for health and wellbeing refers to actions designed to gain support from governments and societies that are necessary to improve health and wellbeing for everyone.
Mediate
Mediate
Health promotion focuses on achieving equity in health and wellbeing by working with those who experience poorer health status.
Enable
Enable
The changes required to promote health and wellbeing include changes to funding, legislation and policies, and to the physical and sociocultural environment.
BUILD HEALTHY PUBLIC POLICY
This action area relates directly to the decisions made by government and organisations regarding laws and policies that make it more difficult for people to undertake unhealthy behaviours and seek to make healthier choices the easier choices.
EXAMPLES
Banning smoking in public places, which makes the environment healthy for everyone.
Compulsory of wearing of seatbelts, which aims to directly influence behaviour.
CREATE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS
This action area recognises the impact that the broader determinants have on health and wellbeing and health status and aims to promote a healthy physical and sociocultural environment for all members of the community. A supportive environment is one that promotes health and wellbeing by being safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable.
EXAMPLES
The establishment of Quitline (a support service for smokers wanting to quit).
Providing a safe working environment.
Providing shaded areas in school playgrounds and outdoor areas (reducing the rate of UV exposure).
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY ACTION
This action area focuses on building links between individuals and the community, and centres around the community working together to achieve a common goal.
EXAMPLES
Immunisation strategy — this involves media, doctors, schools and parents working together to achieve higher immunisation rates for children.
School crossings outside of the school.
DEVELOP PERSONAL SKILLS
Education is the main aspect of this action area. Education refers to gaining health-related knowledge and skills that allow people to make informed decisions that may indirectly affect health and wellbeing.
EXAMPLES:
A community health centre running cooking classes for the community.
Quit campaign educating people about the harmful effects of smoking.
Educating parents about the importance of putting sunscreen on their children when they are out in the sun.
REORIENT HEALTH SERVICES
Reorienting health services means addressing all factors that influence health and wellbeing, not just diseases. This requires a shift towards health promotion, which includes doctors taking on the role of educator.
EXAMPLES:
Medical professionals recommending physical activity to prevent the development of damaging conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Providing funding for a community group to introduce a walking group.
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