Comparing and contrasting Social Change and Empowerment as Approaches to Public Health Promotion
| July 20, 2012 | Posted by Joy Ejiofor under General Healthcare |
What is Public Health?
Public Health is concerned with the science of preventing diseases (Hobson, 1975), prolonging life, promoting health and social wellbeing of specific communities (King, 1966). Several resources are available with the capacity to control and prevent the spread and occurrence of infectious and non-communicable diseases in the populace. The World Health Organisation (1997) recognizes five approaches to Public Health promotion. These approaches are Educational, Social Change, Empowerment, Behaviour Change, and Medical approaches. The list is by no means exhaustive of the several approaches employed in Public Health promotion. For the purposes of this paper, only the Empowerment and Social Change approaches will be discussed.
Social Change as an approach to Public Health Promotion
Social Change approach seeks to empower individuals and groups with the skills they need to advocate on their own behalf, improve lives and provide communities with access to resources (Christopher et al, 1996). Friis (2007) opines that Societal or Social Change approach aims to bring about changes to the physical, social and economic environment which enables people to enjoy better health. Social Change approach focuses on changing society and not only on changing the behaviour of individuals. The World Health Organization (1984) stated that the role of the Empowerment approach is to first and foremost help people identify their own needs and concerns and gain the necessary skills and confidence to act upon them. Thus it can be deduced that empowerment stems from the innate ability to improve self esteem and self-awareness and ultimately to decision making. Social Change and Empowerment approaches have similarities by way of goals. Social Change targets communities and groups of people (Friis, 2007) while the Empowerment approach places emphasis on individual and community empowerment. Community empowerment is an agent of social change related to community development aimed at creating active, participating communities which are able to change the world around them through a programme of action.
Methods in Empowerment Approach
Methods in Empowerment Approach involve promoting public involvement and participation in decision making on health related issues (Tom, Vittorio, and Miranda, 1999). This type of approach is self centered and encourages health advocacy. Conversely, the Social Change Approach according to Friis (2007) is centered on lobbying, legislation, fiscal measures, and the creation of supportive and physical environment in the creation of better health. The process of evaluation is deemed to be difficult when implementing the Empowerment Approach because empowerment takes a long time to happen. Difficulty in quantifying and specifying results makes this approach of intervention complicated to implement. Whereas the Social Change Approach is easier to document, it nevertheless places emphasis on collective action to redress inequalities in health and enhances access to health care.
These sophisticated approaches to Public health cannot achieve much unless Public Health legislation is put in place and fiscal controls adopted to ensure adequate implementation of health programmes.
Evaluation of the Main Factors Impacting the Environmental Health of Citizens in Large Cities
| July 17, 2012 | General Healthcare |
What is the term Environment? The term ‘environment’ takes account of all the living and non living things that make up our surrounding (Nkwo, 2011). The three major components that make up the environment are: the physical, biological and social components (Burk et al, 2000). Each component of the human environment is a microcosm of… more
Critical analysis of the effectiveness of a Counseling as a Public Health intervention Measure
| July 15, 2012 | General Healthcare |
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The History of Physical Therapy
| June 22, 2012 | Physical Therapy |
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| June 22, 2012 | Occupational Therapy |
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Occupational therapy is not overhyped
| April 24, 2012 | Posted by Joy Ejiofor under Occupational Therapy, Uncategorized |
Occupational therapy overview
Occupational therapy is a profession that helps people of all ages who has been ill, injured or with delayed mental development or other forms of psychological problem live an independent lifestyle. This is achieved by helping them learn skills that are vital to their independence. Such skills learned will ultimately help them have a satisfying and productive life irrespective of their illness or disabilities. For people undergoing occupational therapy to be independent, principles of self-care, work and use of recreation will need to be employed. Continue reading “Occupational therapy is not overhyped” »
Physical therapy, a major factor in recovery from injury
| April 23, 2012 | Posted by Joy Ejiofor under Physical Therapy |
Physical therapy as a clinical health science has area of concentration. Physical therapy has five most common specialty areas. These areas are orthopedic physical therapy, geriatric physical therapy, neurological physical therapy, Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation physical therapy and pediatric physical therapy. It is common to see a physical therapist working in any of these top five specialty areas. Continue reading “Physical therapy, a major factor in recovery from injury” »
Physical therapy: way beyond sports derived injuries
| April 20, 2012 | Posted by Joy Ejiofor under Physical Therapy |
Physical therapy can be used to treated various injuries. Physical therapy is not only a treatment option for sports related injuries. There are a whole lot of other conditions that will benefit from the application of physical therapy. A good example is asthma. A physical therapist usually listens to and monitors the heart beat of an asthmatic patient. The treatment plan will include advice on how to breathe normally whilst encouraging relaxation. The therapist may recommend breathing exercises, ways to control and possibly overcome symptoms related to asthma. Strict observance of the advice of a physical therapist will go a long way in making sure the patient will be well on the way to recovery. Continue reading “Physical therapy: way beyond sports derived injuries” »
What exactly is Physical therapy and how can I be helped?
| April 19, 2012 | Posted by Joy Ejiofor under Physical Therapy |
Physical therapy is a health science. Physical therapy (also known as physiotherapy in some countries) as the name implies, deals with the treatment of pain which arises as a result of injury, disease through the use of physical means. Physical therapy is a rehabilitative medicine whose main aim is to help those with any form of debilitating injury recover enough to be able to engage in meaningful physical activities. Professionals who practice physical therapy are known as physical therapists. Physical therapists work with patients with the sole aim of helping them to improve their movement. Continue reading “What exactly is Physical therapy and how can I be helped?” »
Occupational therapy, Physical therapy pivotal in management of arthritis
| April 19, 2012 | Posted by Joy Ejiofor under Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy |
Occupational therapy and physical therapy are useful in the control of pains. Occupational therapy and Physical therapy can be used to effectively manage pains caused by arthritis and other related diseases. It is commonplace to feel the need for new medications to help with arthritis. This need is further heightened if previous medications appear not to be effective in mediating pains caused by arthritis. The good news is that physical therapy and occupational therapy are two methods that can be effectively used to control pain caused by arthritis. They also maintain maximum joint function. Continue reading “Occupational therapy, Physical therapy pivotal in management of arthritis” »
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