Health in society
Aantekeningen
2023
HOORCOLLEGES 1
, Lecture 1: Introduction to new public health
Social determinants of health
Conditions in which people are born, grow, live work and age.
What is health?
Old health: Clockwork model in medicine
Health is when the body operated e ciently, like a machine. (Physical health, must be an illness)
New health: More than absence of illness
“Health is a state of complete, physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence
of disease or in rmity.” World Health Organization (1948).
Positive health
- Strengths that contribute to good health and protect against illness
- Physical, mental, spiritual aspects
- Daily functioning, social participation
- Quality of life
What is public health?
• Health of populations rather than individuals
• Holistic / ecosystems understanding
• Prevention approach rather than treatment
• Protecting groups of people
• Collective rather than personal interventions
• Focus on places, settings, locations
HOORCOLLEGES 2
, Roots of public health
Combatting infectious diseases
Collective health measures throughout history (e.g. 19th century UK public health reforms)
Hygiene movement —> By increasing public hygiene (through access to clean water) many diseases
decreased
McKeown’s thesis (1979)
Improved living standards more important than medical advances.
WHO Healthy Cities approach
- Positive health approach
- Physical and social environments
- Strong community; citizen participation
- Focus on such outcomes as number of trusting people; availability of community spaces
—> Cycling paths & streets, Reduced car access, Electric vehicles, Free tap water, Green space,
Neighborhood teams
What is new public health?
New perspective on public health
• Equity takes center stage (“health for all”) (giving some people a bit more) (not only a few
groups, but everyone should bene t from it. We all live in di erent circumstances.
• All-encompassing: all sectors and all policies should play their role in promoting health
• Importance of citizen participation and involvement
New public health ~ Health promotion
The Ottawa Charter (initiative of the WHO).
Consensus to promote the new public health.
• Building healthy public policy
• Creating supportive environments
• Reorienting health services (attuned to what
people need)
• Developing personal skill (providing
knowledge, promoting behavior changes)
• Strengthening community action
HOORCOLLEGES 3
Aantekeningen
2023
HOORCOLLEGES 1
, Lecture 1: Introduction to new public health
Social determinants of health
Conditions in which people are born, grow, live work and age.
What is health?
Old health: Clockwork model in medicine
Health is when the body operated e ciently, like a machine. (Physical health, must be an illness)
New health: More than absence of illness
“Health is a state of complete, physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence
of disease or in rmity.” World Health Organization (1948).
Positive health
- Strengths that contribute to good health and protect against illness
- Physical, mental, spiritual aspects
- Daily functioning, social participation
- Quality of life
What is public health?
• Health of populations rather than individuals
• Holistic / ecosystems understanding
• Prevention approach rather than treatment
• Protecting groups of people
• Collective rather than personal interventions
• Focus on places, settings, locations
HOORCOLLEGES 2
, Roots of public health
Combatting infectious diseases
Collective health measures throughout history (e.g. 19th century UK public health reforms)
Hygiene movement —> By increasing public hygiene (through access to clean water) many diseases
decreased
McKeown’s thesis (1979)
Improved living standards more important than medical advances.
WHO Healthy Cities approach
- Positive health approach
- Physical and social environments
- Strong community; citizen participation
- Focus on such outcomes as number of trusting people; availability of community spaces
—> Cycling paths & streets, Reduced car access, Electric vehicles, Free tap water, Green space,
Neighborhood teams
What is new public health?
New perspective on public health
• Equity takes center stage (“health for all”) (giving some people a bit more) (not only a few
groups, but everyone should bene t from it. We all live in di erent circumstances.
• All-encompassing: all sectors and all policies should play their role in promoting health
• Importance of citizen participation and involvement
New public health ~ Health promotion
The Ottawa Charter (initiative of the WHO).
Consensus to promote the new public health.
• Building healthy public policy
• Creating supportive environments
• Reorienting health services (attuned to what
people need)
• Developing personal skill (providing
knowledge, promoting behavior changes)
• Strengthening community action
HOORCOLLEGES 3
