The development of a quality-assured action model for municipal health promotion

Abstract

Abstract Background The creation of health-promoting living environments is a key strategy in order to minimise health inequalities, which have been increasing recently. Health promotion in municipalities offers many approaches in this context and is gaining importance on an international level. To structure the process of municipal health promotion, the aim of this research was to create a basis for action and to define requirements in the process. Methods A systematic literature research on models, approaches and tasks for health promotion in municipal settings was conducted in five databases such as Web of Science and EBSCOhost, and was supplemented by a manual search. All hits were filtered using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The design and presentation of the results were prepared based on the method of the Integrative Review. Results 262 publications were screened, sixteen of which were considered for analysis. On this basis, an action model for municipal health promotion was developed. It consists of four phases: Network Planning and Modification, Municipal Profiling, Municipal Strategy Development, Implementation and Evaluation. Other important identified aspects during the process are participation, project and network management, communication, evaluation and quality assurance. Conclusions The action model structures tasks and requirements in the process of municipal health promotion. The evidence also shows the importance of central coordination in municipal health promotion, which can be structured by the action model. The created model provides a new framework for a quality-assured and sustainable process and for a central coordinated municipal health promotion. Key messages Municipal health promotion should increasingly be established. Thereby, the adherence to a systematic, quality-assured process is important.