Content Discussion
Emergence of Health Promotion
The emergence of health promotion as a concept distinct from traditional public health practice or disease prevention took place in the 20th century. However, many of the strategies used to promote health and prevent disease have deeper roots.
For example, the ancient Egyptians, whose writings provide some of the earliest records of public health practice, developed systems for sewage disposal, distributed surplus grain to feed the poor, and printed tracts warning against the harmful effects of consuming too much alcohol.
This example from 4000 B.C illustrates the longevity of two health promotion strategies that have remained in use to the present day:
education encouraging healthy behaviours at the individual level, and
the development of healthy public policies at the community level.