Argue the benefits of health promotion based on:

• individuals, communities and governments working in partnership

One of the benefits of partnerships in health promotion is that ensures it is effective in improving health outcomes. partnerships are between many groups including both the government sector and non-government agencies, along with local communities and the individual. This integration of health promotion creates optimal conditions for achieving health promotion goals. The WHO state:

The prerequisites and prospects for health cannot be ensured by the health sector alone. More importantly, health promotion demands coordinated action by all concerned: by governments, by health and other social and economic sectors, by nongovernmental and voluntary organization, by local authorities, by industry and by the media. People in all walks of life are involved as individuals, families and communities. Professional and social groups and health personnel have a major responsibility to mediate between differing interests in society for the pursuit of health.[1]

Individuals and communities should be involved in the development of health promotion programs, this ensures their needs are met and empowers them to act in accordance with the promotion (this is opposed to an enforced health promotion, which is likely to be rejected). Individuals and communities should not just be involved in the creation of health promotions, but also their implementation and analysis. Individuals and communities can be involved in activities such as: data analysis, community meetings, consultations and surveys. The government sector and non-government agencies should work together with individuals and communities. Not only do individuals and the community help identify health issues, but they need to improve their capacity to improve their health.

The sharing of information is also vital. Government and non-government agencies need to share information. This includes research findings, funds, and connections should be shared so more people benefit. This helps ensure a more efficient health promotion as research is not doubled up and funding can be dispersed across multiple action areas. This also helps improve evidence-based health promotion. The actioning of health promotion can also be farther reaching when partnership is used. Partnership in health promotion enables health to be promoted through: ‘advocacy, legislation, policy change, programs, community projects, consultative community meetings, surveys and the analysis of local health data.’[2]

The benefits of partnerships in health promotion include:

• Addresses needs of individuals and communities
• More comprehensive health promotion
• Better results in health promotion goals
• Empowers individuals to act
• More efficient health promotion (no doubling up and reduced waisted time/money)

EG – ‘The Department of Health and Ageing is funding a unique partnership between the Australian Local Government Association, the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Planning Institute of Australia who are working together to develop Healthy Spaces and Places.’[3]