Abstract
Background: Since 1994, when population health first emerged as a major concept in public health, health promotion has lost considerable currency in this field. From the outset, discussions on the value of health promotion have been particularly prominent in Canada. This article introduces three points as food for thought in their potential relevance to the Japanese context. The first point is on the difference between promotion of health and health promotion. The second addresses the kind of evidence needed for health promotion. The third and final point describes the unique evolution process of health promotion.
Contents: First, promotion of health is a discourse that can be shared among those trying to promote the health of a population, whereas health promotion can be more narrowly defined as the process of planned changes in lifestyle or living conditions conducive to health. Second, evidence regarding promising practices is generally more relevant to health promotion, which is delineated in illuminating and inspiring positive behaviors though they might not be scientifically as rigorous as best practices. Finally, compared with a tree-type evolution process, the spread of health promotion can be understood best by conceiving of its evolution process as essentially rhizomatous - taking root and spreading out horizontally. Greater attention should be paid to this quality of the health promotion development course rather than seeing it as a simple tree-type evolution.
Conclusion: Health promotion should be perceived as a more specialized area of public health by using an appropriately narrowed-down definition. Promising practices are now more recommended in health promotion strategies, and the evolution of health promotion can be better understood when we see its process as more like a rhizome than a tree.
