What is health promotion?

Health promotion is a highly fashionable term which has acquired so many meanings as to become meaningless. In this paper a number of current interpretations of the term are reviewed and appraised, and an attempt is made to tidy up the semantic mess once and for all. A model is offered whereby health promotion is seen as a realm of activities which differs in emphasis from the current power bases in health service provision. This model differs from previous definitions in its explicit examination of the important areas of overlap between component parts. It is useful as a framework for devising health promotion strategies and activities.