Ottawa Health Promotion

Is Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986) still relevant in the 21st century??
Ottawa Charter Is a milestone in health promotion and public health issue since 1986.It is regarded as a concrete step or a holy bible for Health Promotion. As a result of first WHO International Conference on Health Promotion held in Ottawa on 21st November Ottawa charter is undeniable of strategic importance in the history of ideas associated with the establishment of health promotion. There is much to appreciate which responds in taking action on social and economic determinants of health and seeks in empowering communities to be at the center of it. WHO (1986) defines health promotion as a process which promotes control over people to improve their health.

On the other hand, Baum and Sanders (1995) depict lack of radical change in politics and power to promote public health and enabling equity. Even after 16yrs of publication of original article Baum and Sanders still argues that it is unqualified by government around the world by increase in number of multinational corporation that shapes international economy and quality of life .and also Baum (2008) concludes that multinational organizations around the world should promote equity, sustainable environment without any rules or regulations .Hills et al (2004) support this view of equity in their examination of the effectiveness of community in promoting health. They demonstrate that community-based initiatives have been much more successful and also played a good role in changing some of the behavioral change in some areas of the community. Lin and Fawkes (2007) support this argument that lack of proper evidence has resulted in the sustained change in approach, especially in developing countries. Baum and Sanders also suggest that health promotion with prevention and promotion is useless without research from western and support from developers and developing countries. Potvin and jones (2011) point out the third challenge to be the mediation strategy. Mediation strategy

Even though the five areas of Ottawa charter still remains relevant in 21st century besides of certain improvements. There is also a need for health promotion principle for conceptual clarity. The charter should also try to change health promotion agenda in healthcare setting from education, health into behavior and sociocognitive approach. Finally charter should once again consider its action area and strategy for integration of health promotion. Ottawa Charter remains relevant for 21st century acting as a backbone for health promotion and public health professional with more changes to come in the upcoming