Eliminating Disparities: Empowering Health Promotion within Preventive Medicine

Abstract

The estimated 800,000 U.S. deaths in 1990 related to behavioral decisions challenge physicians to better assist behavioral change through expanded health promotion activities. Based on the format guidelines of this special issue, this brief paper first examines the current and optimal roles of health promotion within Preventive Medicine, including five physician roles for improving modifiable public health-risk behavior burdens: (1) preventive services clinician, (2) health promotion researcher, (3) educator-communicator, (4) systems manager, and (5) health promotion advocate. After presenting a new vision statement, this paper proceeds to discuss the opportunities and barriers, including system, clinician-office, and patient factors, to attaining this new vision of empowering health promotion within Preventive Medicine. Finally, all physicians are invited to engage in a threefold strategic plan for change through at least one of five action items: (1) health promotion advocacy, (2) health promotion research, (3) public communication, (4) protocol dissemination and implementation, and (5) Preventive Medicine training.