Review of Literature
Amanda Noe
Grand Canyon University
Family-Centered Health Promotion
NRS 429V
Christy Lundy
June 15, 2014

Review of Literature
Health Promotion Defined Health promotion is a discipline that seeks to improve the health of individuals and communities through education, behavioral change, and environmental improvement (The University of Oklahoma). Health promotion does not include education alone. It consists of proactive decision making taken by individuals, families, and communities to promote and sustain an optimal level of health. Health promotion can be broken down into two parts, active and passive. In passive health promotion, the individual is not actively participating. An example of passive health promotion would be government regulation, including FDA approvals or sanitation programs. Active health promotion involves the individual actively participating. Active health promotion would include an individual choosing to eat a proper, healthy diet or performing daily exercises.
Purpose of Health Promotion in Nursing Nurses play a very influential role in health promotion. As health educators, nurses provide their patients, families, and communities with the necessary information and tools to take responsibility for their health. By implementing the education bestowed upon them, the patient and their families are empowered to make healthier choices and take action to live a healthier lifestyle. This in return, holds the best promise for lowering cost of health care (Edelman & Mandle, 2014). Nurses also have the responsibility to follow up and evaluate. Are the tools and education being properly implemented and understood? Does restructuring of the original plan need to be reviewed? Providing support is an important role of the nurse, as well. Behavior and lifestyle changes can be challenging.