Irving Rootman

People-centred health promotion

Introduction: people-centred health promotion - what is it? PCHP - the key essentials placing PCHP in the theoretical and political spectrum. Basic concepts, issues and approach: the overall aim of PCHP - health and wellbeing in a quality of life context empowerment community development cultural dimensions spiritual dimensions. The practice of PCHP - applying PCHP principles: general considerations and introduction to the people system the people system - a general guide the people system - outcome evaluation case studies 1 - community push and the Birkdale-Beachhaven Community Project case studies 2 - superhealth case studies 3 - the North Shore Community Health Network and the other way project towards a PCHP society.

Quality of life indicators and health : Current status and emerging conceptions

Quality of life is an increasingly common theme in the health status and health promotion literatures. Six approaches that consider quality of life and health are reviewed. These are (a) health-related quality of life; (b) quality of life as social diagnosis in health promotion; (c) quality of life among persons with developmental disabilities; (d) quality of life as social indicators; (e) the Centre for Health Promotion (University of Toronto) model, and (f) Lindstroms quality of life model. Each approach is considered as to its emphasis on objective or subjective indicators, individual or system-level measurement, value-laden or value-neutral assumptions, and potential relationship to social policy and social change goals. The links among the social indicators, quality of life, and health promotions areas are examined.

Assessing the Quality of Life of Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Description of a New Model, Measuring Instruments, and Initial Findings

A conceptual model of quality of life and associated instrumentation for collecting data from persons with developmental disabilities are presented. The conceptual model assumes that the components of quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities are the same as for all persons. Additionally, in recognition of the complexity and importance of quality of life assessments, a multi‐method, multi‐source approach was developed. Results from a preliminary study provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the instrumentation associated with the model. The meaning of these preliminary results are examined and the issues raised by such assessments are discussed.

Implications of health promotion for integrated health systems

Summarizes key conclusions and recommendations found in the Centre for Health Promotions position paper on the role of health promotion within integrated health systems. The original position paper was based on advice received from a working group of organizations and practitioners interested in health promotion. This group was established to formulate recommendations for the government of the Province of Ontario, which was in the process of reforming its system of health care delivery.

Development of a national health promotion survey: The Canadian experience

This paper discusses the development of a national health promotion survey in Canada carried out in June 1985. It does so by describing the events leading up to and surrounding 15 milestones, the last one being the release of the results of the survey in February 1987. A number of lessons are drawn from the experience to date. They include the need to allocate enough time to plan the survey; the need to maintain continuity of staff; the benefits of forming an analysis team; the value of advisory groups; the value of adjusting sampling to political requirements; and the need for researchers and programme people to work together. It is expected that additional lessons will be learned as the process continues and as the survey is repeated in 1988.