Health Promotion and Patient Empowerment Strategies

Health promotion is another one of the most prominent strategies utilised by the government to achieve health targets. It promotes the concept of self-care which is the heart of patient empowerment. This encompasses an inclusive involvement of the patient and their care network, which could include their whānau, communities and health providers (Ministry of Health, 2007).

A leading health promotion initiative is seen in the form of healthy eating. Evidence of a nurse led healthy eating intervention is seen in the Healthy Future Families trust. This trust that is set up and run by local nurses in collaboration with schools and local community outlets. It aims to promote healthy eating behaviours around children and their whānau. It provides

A leading protective factor for these diseases is physical activity. Pedometers are a good generic and non-specific physical activity counselling for the general population. They promote increase in physical activity through self management (Patel, Kolt, Schofield, & Keogh, 2014). McMurry & Clendon (2014) explain that by empowering the population to develop mastery over their own lives, it tends to significantly improve health outcomes and increase social inclusion. Pedometers are a good frontline intervention as they encourage a motivational approach to management of health through physical activity. By being able to set individual goals, monitor progress and get instant confirmation of progress, patients can feel in control of their own

Due to inequity, not all of the population has access to this technology. A resolution to this was offered in the form of a lending service. Pedometers could be lent out to the patient for a set time period to encourage a regular physical activity routine. Once this routine was established and the patient experienced the positive health outcomes, it would naturally evolve into a sense of empowerment, this with an optimistic prediction, could transform unhealthy habits into healthier ones (Patel, Kolt, Schofield, & Keogh,