It could be said with some justification that the task of education is to safe guard people's right to learn about important aspects of human culture and experience. Since health and illness occupy a prominent place in our everyday experience, it might reasonably be argued that everyone is entitled to share whatever insights we possess into the state of being healthy and to benefit from what might be done to prevent and treat disease and discomfort. Health education's role in such an endeavour would be to create the necessary under standing. No other justification would be needed. In recent years, however, questions have been posed with increasing insistence and urgency about efficiency - both about education in general and health education in particular. We can be certain that such enquiries about effectiveness do not reflect a greater concern to know whether or not the population is better educated: they stem from more utilitarian motives. It is apparent, even to the casual observer, that economic growth and productivity have become a central preoccupation in contemporary Britain.

Beginning with a critical appraisal of the concept itself, the second edition of "Health Promotion: Planning and Strategies" outlines models for defining 'health promotion' and sets out the factors involved in planning health promotion programmes that work. Locating the principles and strategies of health promotion within an emerging sphere of multidisciplinary health, the authors show how these can be applied within a range of contexts and settings. In an attempt to bridge the gap that persists between ideological perspectives and practical implementations, they delve beyond the rhetoric of empowerment and show how it can be incorporated into practice. Focusing particularly on the synergistic relationship between policy and education, the book re-appraises the notion of health education - an idea which has become marginalised in recent years - and shows the fundamental importance of education in creating individual choice and generating effective advocacy for social change. The question of 'evidence' is central to the text and the book examines methods of evaluation and the role it plays in creating more effective health promotion programmes. The new edition offers coverage of values and ethics; working with communities; and, the settings approach, and social marketing. It also provides students with a glossary of key terms. Internationally relevant and multidisciplinary, this is an essential text for students of health studies, health promotion, public health, interprofessional social care courses, and all healthcare professionals.

Globally recognized as the definitive text on health promotion, this fourth edition becomes ever more useful for public health and health promotion courses around the world. It offers a firm foundation in health promotion before helping you to understand the process of planning, implementing and assessing programmes in the real world. New to the 4th Edition: A chapter on "Evidence-Based Health Promotion" addressing the development of an evidence base for health promotion. Expanded coverage of health inequalities, equity and social exclusion Further discussion of mental health promotion and well-being Key concepts are now highlighted and explained throughout the book 'Critical reflection' boxes have been added to help the reader think critically about an issue or approach. The book is supported by online resources with up to 20 original case studies from around the world, access to full SAGE journal articles, and seminar questions for lecturers.