Enhancing the effectiveness and quality of health promotion perspectives of the international union for health promotion and education

Abstract

This chapter on the future of health promotion has the perspective of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). Since its founding during the international development movement that followed the close of World War II, the IUHPE has worked at several levels to advance health promotion quality, effectiveness and equity. Here, the recent record of IUHPE activities is summarized briefly,* to set the context for the rest of the chapter. Our main aim is to prompt discussion of the question, "what needs to happen if health promotion is to contribute to its full potential to improve health?" Our overarching premise is that health promotion has yet to contribute to "equity in health" to its full potential. Our approach is therefore self-critical, notwithstanding the IUHPE's many documented achievements.