NURS 6412 week 5 Discussion Paper

Foundations of Applying Theory in Health Promotion Practice Why Are Theories and Models Important in Health Promotion?Public health and health promotion programs can help to improve health, reduce disease risks, manage chronic illnesses, and improve the well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals, families, organizations, and communities. But not all health promotion programs and initiatives are equally successful. The programs that are most likely to succeed are based on a clear understanding of the targeted health behaviors and their environmental context. They are developed and managed using strategic planning models, and are continually improved through meaningful evaluation. Theories of health behavior can play a critical role in all of these areas. Theory can help us during the various stages of planning, implementing, and evaluating an intervention. Program planners use theories to shape the pursuit of answers to WHY? WHAT?and HOW? That is, theories can be used to guide the search for reasons WHY people are or are not following public health and medical advice, or not caring for themselves in healthy ways. They can help pinpoint WHAT you need to know before developing or organizing an intervention program.NURS 6412 week 5 Discussion Paper

They can provide insight into HOW you shape program strategies to reach people and organizations and make an impact on them. They also help you identify WHAT should be monitored, measured, and/or compared in the program evaluation. Theories can help us understand the nature of targeted health behaviors. They can explain the dynamics of the behavior, the processes for changing the behavior, and the effects of external influences on the behavior. Theories can help us identify the most suitable targets for programs, the methods for accomplishing change, and the outcomes for evaluation. Theories and models EXPLAIN behavior and suggest ways to achieve behavior CHANGE. Models that support program planning processes include Green and Kreuter’s PRECEDE-PROCEED model and Social Marketing. Processes such as these are what get the job done. These processes involve research, thought, and action at all stages. Theory directs our research strategy (what to look for), intervention goals (what to achieve), and what might explain outcomes of interventions. Theory also helps us think of ideas we might never have considered. And, when we look at multiple theories, it helps us to keep our minds open and disciplined at once, resulting in more effective programs. While theory alone does not produce effective programs, theory-based planning, implementation, and monitoring does. 2NURS 6412 week 5 Discussion Paper