IHPE Manifesto 2024
The IHPE has a long history of advocating for positive health, preventing ill health,
and reducing inequalities. Our work is based on the principles of health promotion
as set out in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and other key documents.
Prerequisites for health are peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable eco
system, sustainable resources, social justice and equity.
The following 10 recommendations are identified as key priorities for addressing
health challenges across the lifespan, within all communities, contributing to the
reduction of inequalities, and requiring adequate investment. The document has
been kept brief and we have provided a few examples of recommended actions.
The overriding aim is the promotion of positive visions of public health.
1. Reduce inequalities.
Co-ordinated action between countries as well as within countries is needed to
tackle the wider environmental, social, and economic factors that contribute to
poor health. Integrated, place-based approaches are effective ways to maintain
and improve health.
2. Prioritise the health of children.
Every child should have the best start in life. Our children are our future and
healthy children are more likely to become healthy productive adults. Support is
needed in different settings. In the UK this support would include increasing the
number of health visitors and providing a school nurse for each school.
3. Support the creation of Health Promoting Settings.
Health and wellbeing are created and sustained in the settings where people live,
study, work and play. This includes schools and colleges, workplaces, hospitals
and prisons. National certification schemes should be created to encourage the
development of Health Promoting Settings.
4. Help people to increase control over, and to improve, their health.
Health promotion supports personal and social development by making
information accessible and improving education for health, thereby enhancing
literacy and life skills. In so doing, it increases the options for people to exercise
better control over their own health and over their environments, and to make
choices conducive to good health.
5. Increase the focus on positive mental health.
Mental health needs a focus across the lifespan, taking a positive, holistic approach
and emphasising health-promoting interventions for individuals and communities. (1)
6. Provide conditions for improved physical health.
Physical and mental health are integrally connected. Safe and healthy
environments support individuals in maintaining and improving their health. The
promotion of safe and active modes of travel also contributes to health
improvement through reducing pollution and the prevention of accidents.
Opportunities to increase physical activity for all should be provided.
7. Advocate on important but under highlighted and poorly
resourced issues.
Health promotion should support those most in need, including marginalised
groups. A focus on improving wellbeing should include issues such as accident
prevention, access to the arts, female genital mutilation, forced marriage,
homelessness, modern slavery and gambling.
8. Create politically independent national organisations to drive
forward improvements in health.
Improving a nation’s health requires a bold vision and strong leadership. All
countries need an independent national health promotion organisation to drive this
forward.
In the UK, the organisation should work closely with directors of public health,
health service organisations, charities and other organisations trying to promote
health.
9. Implement a cross-sector approach to public health.
Health implications should be considered in policy decisions, especially those
across health, social care, education, planning, finance, housing and culture.
10. Increase the use of positive health indicators.
Positive health indicators should be used to support a paradigm shift in our
thinking. It is time to change the perspective away from purely sickness and ill
health and develop more positive visions of health and wellbeing.
Such health indicators can be used not only for monitoring and evaluation, but also
for motivating the public and professionals to act.
Key Documents
British Medical Journal items on health promotion.
https://ihpe.org.uk/bmj-rapid-responses/
Position Statements on important topics.
https://ihpe.org.uk/resources/position-papers/
Lead Authors: Dr Karen E. Neil
Dr Michael C. Watson
Institute of Health Promotion and Education
https://ihpe.org.uk/
@InstituteHPE
1st May 2024
Citation: Neil K E, and Watson M C. (2024) IHPE Position Statement:
Manifesto 2024. Lichfield: Institute of Health Promotion and Education.
