Health Promotion and the Gamificaiton of Health

Health Promotion and the Gamification of Health

Health Promotion

Definition: Health promotion enables individuals and communities to improve their health outcomes through collective efforts. It emphasizes the interaction between personal choices and broader social factors.

From WHO: Health promotion extends beyond individual behavior to social and environmental interventions aimed at systemic improvements. The goals are to reduce preventable diseases, strengthen health systems, and make health a priority in development.

Values of Health Promotion

Key values include:

• Equity and Social Justice: Ensuring access to health opportunities for all.

• Holistic Health: Viewing health as complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

• Comprehensive Determinants: Recognizing diverse factors influencing health.

• Environmental Considerations: Understanding environmental impacts on health.

• Empowerment: Building individual and community health capacity.

• Social Participation: Encouraging community involvement in health initiatives.

• Collaboration: Partnering with various sectors to promote health.

Downstream vs. Upstream Interventions

• Downstream: Focus on immediate care (e.g., emergency services).

• Upstream: Address root causes of health issues (e.g., improving public infrastructure).

Hierarchy of Health Care

Health promotion sits at the base of the healthcare continuum:

1. Quaternary Care

2. Tertiary Care

3. Secondary Care

4. Primary Care

5. Health Promotion

History of Health Promotion in Canada

• 1947: Lalonde Report critiques the biomedical model and highlights health determinants.

• 1978: Establishment of the Health Promotion Directorate.

• 1979: Introductory degree program in health promotion at the University of Toronto.

• 1986: Ottawa Charter sets health strategies with prerequisites like peace and education.

The Ottawa Charter

Core strategies:

• Healthy Public Policy: Integrating health into all policies.

• Supportive Environments: Creating conditions for healthy choices.

• Community Action: Enabling communities to prioritize health needs.

• Personal Skills Development: Increasing knowledge to make healthier choices.

• Reorientation of Health Services: Shift resources towards prevention and health promotion.

Recent Developments

• 1989-1991: Increased health promotion funding.

• 2003: Formation of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

• 2011: Declaration emphasizes health’s role in societal well-being.

Declaration on Prevention and Promotion

Key points:

• Health is a multidimensional measure of societal well-being.

• Acknowledges health disparities among marginalized groups.

• Promotes collaborative approaches to improving population health.

Models of Change

• Learning Theory: Highlights reinforcement in behavior change.

• Consensus Model: Steps for effective change include community support.

• Health Belief Model: Perception of risks affects behavior.

• Reasoned Action Theory: Beliefs influence health intentions and outcomes.

Gamification of Health

Definition: Integrating game design elements in health contexts to motivate positive behaviors.

Benefits:

• Increases engagement and encourages sustained healthy behaviors.

• Bridges the gap between intention and action through social support.

• Enhances self-efficacy in health management.

Applications:

• Wearable devices for fitness tracking (e.g., Fitbit).

• Community competitions to foster wellness.

• Mobile apps incentivizing healthy behaviors (e.g., Mango Health).

• Peer support challenges for lifestyle changes.

Conclusion

Health promotion is a comprehensive approach that fosters collaboration and leverages multiple strategies to enhance population health and overall well-being.