Differences And Similarities Between The Bangkok And The Ottawa Charter

Compare the differences and similarities between the action areas and strategies of the Ottawa and Bangkok Charter

Health promotion is an approach, which has been taken up around the world, aiming to encourage people to have increased control over their health, and make healthy behaviours in order to reduce the risk and development of illness and disease (World Health Organisation).

The Ottawa and Bangkok charters have similar components in how they address health promotion. Both charters have given detailed descriptions and accounts on the current health issues and how to improve them (World Health Organisation). They both see that the promotion of health needs to be the responsibility of the individual, groups, community, and government.

Both charters address the determinants of health and how different factors affect and contribute to heath (World Health Organisation). Other similarities include the following:

‘Strengthen community action’ and ‘a key focus of communities and civil society’ both show how communities have large effects on health promotion and how implementing strategies and providing resources and opportunities for community members can affect health and well being (WHO, 2005).

‘Reorient health services’ and ‘mediate’ from the Ottawa Charter and ‘partner and build alliances from the Bangkok Charter, both show how health promotion should be a priority of all, this including: government and non-government organisation, professionals, institutions, international organisations, communities, and the individual ( The Ottawa Charter in action).

Together through intersectoral collaboration, each sector should work together to coordinate and mange health promotion ( The Ottawa Charter in action).

‘Enable’ and ‘a few focus of communities and civil society’ both aim to address health inequalities, ensuring that all individuals, of all socioeconomic statuses have access to resources, support, and the tools for good health.

While there are many similarities comparing the two charters, they also have distinct differences. The Ottawa Charter focused on the needs in industrialised countries, while the Bangkok Charter focused on how health promotion should be seen within a more global context (World Health Organisation). The Ottawa Charter speaks about human needs, whereas the Bangkok Charter speaks in regards to human rights (World Health Organisation). The Ottawa Charter mentions health and health promotion as a combined unit, and Bangkok sees it in structural-functional parts (Avasalu, 2015). More differences between the two charters

include:

Both policies having the strategy of ‘advocate,’ although them having different meanings. The Ottawa Charter explains how health is affected by social, economic, and personal development (World Health Organisation). On the other hand, The Bangkok Charter’s strategy of advocate says that support and recommended evidence based in policies, resources, and practices in which health will be protected and supported within all levels of government and politics, as well as non-government organisations, community organisations, and the individual (World Health Organisation).

Briefly discuss major changes to health promotion since 1986

Health promotion has changed dramatically since the adoption if the Ottawa Charter in 1986, where changes in the world have affected health priorities and the way health is perceived. Changes have been seen in consumption and communication, urbanisation and global environmental changes, trade and differing public health emergencies (WHO, 2005). With there being many changes in social, economic, and demographics, it has also affected working conditions, family patterns, social and cultural communities, and learning environments (Avasalu, 2015). The changes in health promotion have been affected by globalisation, where they have been seen an acceleration in their progression (Avasalu, 2015).