GERO 820 Principles and Practices of Health Promotion

For further assistance with your assignment, ask at the Belzberg Library Reference Desk or contact Nina Smart, Liaison Librarian for Gerontology (778.782.5043 (Tuesdays and Thursdays) / nsmart@sfu.caMonday to Thursday;

Description/topics

 

"This course is designed to cover and critically examine concepts, models, theories, and practices of health promotion specific to aging populations.  It will cover the origins and development of health promotion, population health and health education theories and  frameworks, current approaches to health promotion, and applications targeting specific groups of older adults.  Students will gain an understanding of the major issues surrounding health promotion and health education at the level of the individual, social  network, institution, community, and public policy."  [Note: for further information see the course outline, when it is available]

Term paper

Books

Recommended texts:

Health behavior and health education: theory, research, and practice [print]
Guidebook that discusses the foundations of health behaviour as well as different models, combines theory, research, and practice to provide a comprehensive overview on health behaviour and education.

Health promotion in Canada : new perspectives on theory, practice, policy, and research [online]
"comprehensive profile of the history, current status, and future of health promotion in Canada"

Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use [online]
 

Catalogue Searching:

Use the SFU catalogue to find books.

A Subject heading: Older People Health And Hygiene
A Keyword search: health promotion AND (aged OR older people)

Online journal databases

To find journal articles and government reports, use the following databases:

Ageline
the major social gerontology database

Canada Commons
Canadian public policy documents from government and nonprofit organizations as well as think tanks

Canadian Research Index
Canadian government publications (Sample terms: Health promotion; Public health)

See also: How to Find Journal Articles and how to find peer-reviewed Journals

Readings

Introduction and historical background

Achieving Health for All: A Framework for Health Promotion 
1986 Health Canada report that examines health promotion in Canada as an "integration of ideas from several arenas of public health, health education and public policy."

Action statement for Health Promotion in Canada 
1996 action report from the Canadian Public Health Association that breaks down and describes ways for improving efforts for promoting health

A new perspective on the health of Canadians 
1974 Health Canada report that "identifies two main health-related objectives: the health care system; and prevention of health problems and promotion of good health."

 

Health promotion for older adults

Arthritis Society  
Canadian organization focused on "providing education, programs and support" to those with Arthritis; source of research and information on arthritis

Canadian Study of Health and Aging: Study methods and prevalence of dementia 
 journal article analyzing the prevalence of dementia in five Canadian regions

Dare to age well -
Division of Aging and Seniors Health Canada; contains publications from Health Canada

Dependency, chronic conditions and pain in seniors 
Health Reports Supplement that examines the prevalence of dependency and chronic conditions amongst older Canadian adults

General Social Survey: Time Use (later than 2010?)
Statistics Canada study examining how Canadians spend their time

Healthy Aging Through Healthy Living - report that provides "an evidence based framework for a comprehensive approach and establishes the Ministry of Health's strategic platform for healthy aging"

How Healthy Are Canadians? 
report on the health of Canadians which focuses on differences in health between men and women

Measured obesity: adult obesity in Canada: measured height and weight 
Statistics Canada report

Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment 
WHO global report on chronic diseases which "presents a state-of-the-art guide to effective and feasible interventions; and provides practical suggestions for how countries can implement these interventions to respond successfully to the growing epidemics"

Population Projections for Canada (2024 to 2074)
Statistics Canada publication that provides population projections based on census data

 

Paradigm shifts in the health arena

BC Healthy Communities 
province-wide organization that promotes healthy living; provides research and resources on topics including aging well

Concise medical dictionary [online
“No home should be without one”

Health Promotion Glossary 
glossary published by the World Health Organization including information and definitions for terms related to health promotion

The Quality of Life Model 
information on model created by the Quality of Life Research Unit at the University of Toronto

WHO Age-friendly Cities Framework

Predictors of Healthy Aging

Decade of healthy ageing: baseline report 
2021 WHO

Aging and Seniors 
online portal for publications of the Division of Aging and Seniors of the Public Health Agency of Canada

Other useful web sites and books

  • Ageing- website for United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development providing information on current issues as well as resources
  • Health Promotion - Health Canada webpage providing links on topics of health promotion
  • Seniors - Health Canada webpage providing information and resources on senior health
  • Shape the Future of Health Care - information about the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada: The Romanow Commission