Invited Speaker: Ian Blue

Affiliation(s): Department of Rural Health, University of Tasmania(

Keywords: Health promotion, behaviour change, self efficacy

The notion of health promotion has been an accepted part of the general health system in both developed and underdeveloped countries for several decades. Arising out of the WHO declarations of health is the most obvious of concepts. That is ~ if a society and its health service encourage their populations to adopt healthy ways of living and reduce environmental health hazards, the burden of disease and chronic illness will fall. In some countries improvements in health has been achieved with small but effective measures, such as the provision of clean water. Developed nations have sophisticated public health promoting systems like clean water and sewerage disposal however the burden of chronic illness on these societies continues to rise alarmingly. Clearly health promotion is not effective as a stand alone measure to promote good health. This paper suggests a fresh perspective is needed to reorientate our thinking towards promotion of behaviour change by increasing self efficacy. In keeping with the conference themes of thinking beyond traditional boundaries some new methods and perspectives will be suggested to extend the tired and ineffective health promotion mantras of the modern health system in a new direction.

Key learning points

• Health promotion has not been effective in reducing rising chronic illness
• New ways of helping people take responsibility for their health need to be found
• Self efficacy is an important part in self managing health and illness