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Multilevel Model of Health: Health Promotion in a Chronic Population


Population Health Promotion Model

The health promotion model includes 12 determinants of health on the front of a cube, followed by the 5 strategies for health promotion on the side and then the levels of intervention on the top of the cube.

The front of the cube outlines the social determinants of health, including:

  • Income and Social Status;

  • Social Support Network;

  • Education;

  • Working Conditions;

  • Physical Environments;

  • Biology and Genetics;

  • Personal Health and Practices and Coping Skills;

  • Health Child Development; and

  • Health Services.

The strategies of health promotion are outlined on the side of the Population Health Promotion Model, which include:

  • Strengthen Community Action;

  • Build Healthy Public Policy;

  • Create Supportive Environments;

  • Develop Personal Skills; and

  • Reorient Health Services.

(Government of Canada, 2001)

I chose to discuss the population health promotion model as described on the Government of Canada website. Using a population health approach, this model looks at the determinants of health and action on these determinants through health promotion (as a strategy). I applied this model to patients living with Chronic Renal Disease on Dialysis as this is a population I often work with and am quite familiar with. The idea of health promotion may seem to be irrelevant and applied late in a population with chronic illness but health promotion can be applied on many different levels within the context of the determinants of health for this population.

As an example of this, the model talks about creating supportive environments in relation to a population. Dialysis treatment can be an unforeseen disruption in life and requires the individual to go through a massive change process as they are now required to receive treatment three times a week and are limited in travel, work options and social organization. Creating supportive environments for this population can be as simple as ensuring that psychosocial needs are met in the context of change. Giving the individual time to adjust will ensure that you promote compliance to healthy lifestyles practices by ensuring that the change in life is not met with resistance and bitter expressions of anger regarding this change.

This model takes into account the influence of society, sector, community, family and the individual. If the intervention is to be implemented for this population, it must be considered beyond the individual allowing for a holistic approach to health on all levels. The involvement of family and support of family has a positive influence on outcomes for chronically ill patients and is essential in providing support to renal patients with fluid, dietary and lifestyle restrictions.

The Population Health Promotion model ensures that health promotion occurs for an entire population by considering all determinants of health and population influences. I think that the use of health promotion models for those within the health care system and those who use the system the most such as the chronically ill, is essential is providing best health for all.

Government of Canada. (2001). Population health promotion: an integrated model of population health and health promotion. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/population-health-promotion-integrated-model-population-health-health-promotion/developing-population-health-promotion-model.html on February 28, 2018.


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