Involvement and Multi-Sectoral Collaboration: Applying Principles of Health Promotion during the Implementation of Local Policies and Measures—A Case Study

Monica Lillefjell,Ruca Elisa Katrin Maass

doi:10.3390/soc12010005

Monica Lillefjell, Ruca Elisa Katrin Maass

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12010005

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Abstract

Five principles for health promotion (HP) stand out in various forms, providing guidance for HP measures and policy implementation: (1) a broad and positive health concept, (2) participation and involvement of key stakeholders, (3) build action and action competence by involving and empowering target groups, (4) a setting perspective, and (5) equity in health. The purpose of this study is to describe, and critically discuss, how the five HP principles can be applied to structure collaboration processes for implementing HP measures in local communities. A case study methodology was applied when investigating how the HP principles guided actions and focus-of-attention throughout the process of implementing a local community HP measure. Of special importance was the broad involvement of stakeholders and the anchoring of overarching, as well as specific, HP goals in the municipal strategic documents to ensure political commitment, ownership, and adequate resources. Direction on how to apply or achieve the HP principles should be further explored, described, and brought into systematic day-to-day work for a better society-development.

Highlights

Recognition of the importance of multi- and intersectoral approaches dates back as far as the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, where Article 4 called for the involvement of all related sectors in efforts to promote health [1]
We present an explanatory case study centering on the implementation process of a local community recreational green space area in a municipality
We utilize the broad data to describe and discuss how these five health promotion (HP) principles [9] were translated into actions and activities and discuss how applying these principles contributed to structure the collaboration processes linked to the implementation of a local recreation area

Summary

Introduction

Recognition of the importance of multi- and intersectoral approaches dates back as far as the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, where Article 4 called for the involvement of all related sectors in efforts to promote health [1]. HiAP, a whole-system approach, aims to integrate health considerations into policies that lie outside the health sector [4,5]. International organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), EU, OECD, and the World Bank have proposed standards for good governance of public health and HP. Mechanisms that foster participation from citizens, high degree of accountability and transparency, and a dedication to reducing poverty and promoting health equity through multi-sectoral governance, are emphasized [2,8]

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