HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION

Health promotion is defined by WHO as ‘enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health’. When evidence based and tailored to need, it can lead to improved physical and mental wellbeing and better outcomes.

Effective strategies for the prevention and management of CHD in primary care are a good example of health promotion in action. Primary prevention: avoiding development of diseases or conditions through awareness and lifestyle choice and change Secondary prevention: detecting disease early, then increasing opportunities to prevent disease progression through increased awareness and self management Tertiary prevention: reducing negative impact of established diseases by optimising function and reducing disease-related complications. See also Men’s health, New patient checks, Physical activity, Sexual health National priorities for health improvement

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Poor mental health
• Insufficient exercise
• Alcohol use

Interventions for behaviour change Brief evidence-based motivational intervention can:

• help patients identify priority health areas for change
• help boost confidence and motivation to change
• empower patients to take control of their own health and plan for change