World Health Organisation Definition of Health Promotion: Health promotion:

• Is a process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health
• Is a practical approach to achieving greater equity in health
• Strengthens the skills and capabilities of individuals to take action towards changing social, environmental and economic conditions
• Enables people to increase their control over the determinants of health to improve health outcomes

Health promotion spans the continuum from prevention to early intervention to treatment. The principles of health promotion are practiced across all four programs at MDECC. The activities, programs, and services provided to young people, parents, and families are all driven by the principles of health promotion. Health promotion activities occur at an individual, organisational and interagency level. Health promotion is a core function of the philosophy of the service.