Promotion & education最新文献

Inconsistent statistics about the number of HIV/AIDS cases in Iran and misinformation about HIV/AIDS among Iranian adolescents necessitate proper understanding and knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. This is particularly important since many issues related to HIV/AIDS, such as sex, homosexuality, and drug use, are taboo topics in the Islamic world. We analyzed Farsi-language educational and informational small media items to ascertain the nature of HIV/AIDS-related material available in society. While all of the documents mentioned sexual contact as a means of transmitting the virus, and the majority (87%) mentioned condom use as a preventive means, mention of homosexuality (43%) and prostitution (17%) was lacking in most. Thus, mention of "safe sex" strategies was not avoided due to fear of promoting sex outside of marriage, as has been noted in other Islamic nations. Mention of intravenous drug use in 90% of the documents shows an acknowledgment of the drug problem in the nation, and an effort to curb its harmful sequelae. Therefore, while certain issues such as sex, condoms, and drug use were well represented in the documents analyzed, additional inclusion of topics such as homosexuality and prostitution, issues already discussed infrequently in society, can help to better educate the population and curb the spread of this life-threatening disease.

The article presents the work plan of the Vice President for the Northern Part of the Western Pacific Region of the IUHPE. The highlights of the plan include, firstly, the organization of the First Asia-Pacific Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education, which will take place in July 2009. Secondly, the plan proposes the establishment of a liaison office and an Internet journal to facilitate collaboration among individuals, groups and organizations working in health promotion and education in this culturally and linguistically diverse region.

The commentary presents the Work Plan of the IUHPE European Region for 2008-10. The plan has been put together after a comprehensive discussion and review of the results of a survey of IUPHE European Region members. The result is a plan that provides overarching and future-oriented support for the development of the activities in the region. The main strategies of the new IUHPE/EURO Work Plan include: 1. effective working of the Regional Committee; 2. supporting and engaging IUHPE members; 3. advocacy and partnership building; 4. strengthening communications; and 5. follow-up and evaluation.

International interest in the social determinants of health and their public policy antecedents is increasing. Despite evidence that as compared to other wealthy nations Canada presents a mediocre population health profile and public policy environments increasingly less supportive of health, the Canadian public health gaze is firmly - and narrowly - focused on lifestyle issues of diet, physical activity and tobacco use. Much of this has to do with Canada being identified as being driven by a liberal political economy, a situation shared with a cluster of other developed nations. Reasons for Canada's neglect of structural and public policy issues are explored and ways by which public health workers in Canada and elsewhere can help to shift policymakers and the general public's understandings of the determinants of health are outlined.

The topic of the above title has vividly interested the author for many years. Regretfully, the issues at stake have not changed for the last 25 years. As proof of this - and on purpose - references dug up and quoted are only those published before 1986. The end result has been the (re)construction of a scenario that has been stubborn to change and that looks into most of the burning questions of then and now pertaining to the title.The materials here presented are an informal, non-systematic review of the literature on the ethical, ideological and political implications of health as a science and as a praxis. The materials here collected are, in a way, "out of the box" and, in the author's view very needed. The article sheds some light on the major issues at the core of this universal discussion that - whether we like it or not - was and continues to be at the very base of our daily work as health professionals.

The Ottawa Charter is a significant document in relation to health promotion and the priorities for action needed to facilitate health for all people. The relevance of this document to an intensive care setting and the extent to which it may be translated into meaningful practice is examined in this paper. Acute care is an area lying at the extreme end of tertiary health, and at first glance it may be difficult to reconcile the significance of health promotion and the Ottawa Charter with this particular area of health care practice. On closer inspection, however, the relevance of the Charter lies in its impact on the number and type of patients seen in the Intensive Care Unit, and on the effect that the implementation of the health promotion action areas has on the client base. Even at the extreme end of tertiary care it is equally important to be aware of public health issues and to advocate, enable and mediate, where necessary, on behalf of and alongside patients, particularly as we care for them when they are most vulnerable. A commitment to both action and meaningful practice must continue to be pursued while equity in health remains a goal to be achieved.