In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, approaches and concepts for engaging in effective health education and promotion activities are still not well understood. The traditional approach focuses on knowledge dissemination and awareness raising about diseases or behavioural risk factors. It does not address the capacity of individuals to apply this knowledge. One-time interventions are not effective or sustainable.
Health education and promotion needs to address social determinants of health and use participatory and collaborative approaches to improve population health. Focusing only on lifestyle or behavioural risk factors without also addressing conditions of risk or environmental factors is denying people the right to achieve a better state of health.
Health education: theoretical concepts, effective strategies and core competencies [pdf 1.04Mb]
A practical guide to developing and implementing school policy on diet and physical activity [pdf 3.78Mb]
