Abstract
This paper explores how the salutogenic theory can enable us to re-envision health promotion work with marginalized communities, towards an approach that acknowledges and honours their resilience. We use the three core concepts in Antonovsky’s salutogenic model of health – sense of coherence, generalized resistance resources and specific resistance resources – to explore the theory’s relevance to health equity, thus presenting new opportunities for how we might radically re-evaluate current health promotion approaches. We conclude that a more equitable health promotion requires increased participation of marginalized communities in shaping their futures and suggest a new model for historically grounded salutogenic health promotion.
Highlights
Addressing health equity is a fundamental concern of the field of health promotion
We argue for a more salutogenic orientation to health promotion and show how its key concepts – sense of coherence (SoC), generalized resistance resources (GRRs) and specific resistance resources (SRRs) – can help us highlight the strengths of marginalized communities
A salutogenic orientation, which builds on historic and modern resilience and resistance, positively contributes to GRRs and SRRs and strengthens SoC. When this approach is implemented through the five action areas of health promotion, we move towards greater health equity, authentic empowerment, and well-being
Summary
Addressing health equity is a fundamental concern of the field of health promotion. The core action areas of health promotion aim to address inequity in health by influencing public policy, addressing environmental conditions, organizing communities, reorienting health services and developing personal skills [1]. It is important to note the hierarchy in resource access, where certain SRRs, such as traditional medicine, are only considered acceptable when approved by institutions in the Global North Much of this knowledge was oral and handed down over generations, but countries like China and India have managed to promote alternative medicine in more integrated and institutionalized ways, with universities and colleges providing qualifications for holistic ways of treating mind, body and spirit [39]. The follow-up programme includes caregivers, community leaders and chiefs, social workers and police – providing a holistic support system [41] This is an example of how locally developed culturally appropriate mental health programmes are important SRRs for young people experiencing distress and can lead to positive sustainable outcomes. Strengthening the relevance and meaningfulness of SRRs strengthens the SoC of individuals and communities [22] and the way in which subsequent interactions between GRRs and SRRs are viewed as relevant and usable
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