Exploring the need for community-level health promotion theory (Hawe, 2015; Moore & Evans, 2017) (PHD1123 Spring 2025) by Andrew Springer

What are key critiques of Hawe (2015) and Moore & Evans (2017) for current application of theory to community/population-level health promotion?

andrewespringer — 2024-12-28 01:37:58 UTC

What keeps us with a focus on individual-level theory and individual-level interventions?

andrewespringer — 2024-12-28 01:37:58 UTC

What are ways that theory can guide individual-level and community-level health promotion research and practice?

andrewespringer — 2025-01-20 18:55:17 UTC

What is needed to enhance theory and its application to community health promotion?

andrewespringer — 2025-01-20 19:03:14 UTC

2025-01-28 21:21:39 UTC

Theories allow us to understand behavior and find appropriate change methods. -Ana

2025-01-28 21:22:58 UTC

It can provide a starting point to explore / develop interventions. It might help researchers / implementers prioritize their efforts. -Pamela

2025-01-28 21:22:59 UTC

it can help with sustainability of community programs - Tonantzin

Kingsley

2025-01-28 21:25:03 UTC

The theory gives us insight into established findings based on apriori research on how individuals and communities behave regarding a concept that would aid in modifying their behaviors to promote health outcomes.

2025-01-28 21:25:25 UTC

The overreliance of individual level/behavioral theory and continuing to pull focus from systemic issues -Ana

2025-01-28 21:25:48 UTC

From Moore & Evans:

Limited utility of theories (they may not take into account important factors)
They may be not be operationalized appropriately
One single theory may not be enough to effect change

-Pamela

Kingsley-Interventions

2025-01-28 21:27:21 UTC

The perceived threat of health behavior and intervention can be sometimes more potent on individual levels, perceived benefit of intervention, peer group, role model and community support or influence, self-efficacy.

2025-01-28 21:27:57 UTC

Whenever I think of this, what comes to mind is the lack of considering the impact theories have across different cultures. Maybe it's me, but there is a need to test theories across cultures, diverse groups etc., -Tonantzin

2025-01-28 21:28:13 UTC

To better understand the problem you are working with and move away from selecting a theory that "might fit" or forcing it to fit, Moore and Evans mention the challenge of understanding how the problem is created and sustained to select an appropriate theory within the systemic context it will be used in. -Ana

Reductionist perspective- to understand the whole, we have to study the parts (Cartesian perspective)

andrewespringer — 2025-01-28 21:28:29 UTC

2025-01-28 21:29:10 UTC

Change might be observed faster -Ana

2025-01-28 21:29:50 UTC

Theories can give us structure and guidance when developing outreach programs and educational programs

Brittani

2025-01-28 21:29:50 UTC

Context is important. I liked the idea from M&E that interventions are efforts to disrupt mechanisms that keep perpetuating the same problems, so theory has to be grounded in those contexts / environment / populations.

-Pamela

2025-01-28 21:29:51 UTC

Easier to track, depending it may be more cost-effective. -Tonantzin

Kingsley- Application of theories

2025-01-28 21:32:02 UTC

Key critiques are the universality of theories and adaptability to various situations and diverse behaviors. Some theories are not scientific-based and may be difficult to replicate across cultures and demographics. Some theories do not consider different cultures and socio-environmental factors in certain environment (HBM and SCT).

Kingsley- What is needed

2025-01-28 21:33:32 UTC

Interventions and theories should be tailored, adapted, and modified to the focus community with enhanced communication, promotion, partnerships, and collaboration.

emoron76 — 2025-01-28 21:35:41 UTC

Theory can guide individual and community-level promotion research by providing frameworks to understand behaviors, identify determinants of health, and design evidence-based interventions that drive sustainable change - Elías

2025-01-28 21:36:08 UTC

Understand the individual and their intentions or propensity to change

Brittani

emoron76 — 2025-01-28 21:38:08 UTC

We focus on individual-level theory and interventions because they are easier to measure, align with biomedical models, and emphasize personal responsibility for health behaviors - Elías

2025-01-28 21:38:51 UTC

Theories need to take into account the cultural and historical aspects of the community in which they are to be applies. Also, taking into account the lived experience of community members and inviting them to the table when utilizing theories to develop programs and interventions.

Brittani

emoron76 — 2025-01-28 21:40:40 UTC

Hawe (2015) and Moore & Evans (2017) critique the current application of theory in health promotion for overly focusing on linear, individual-level approaches, neglecting the complexity and systemic interactions of community and population health - Elías

emoron76 — 2025-01-28 21:42:16 UTC

Enhancing theory for community health promotion requires embracing systems-based approaches that address social determinants, complexity, and dynamic interactions within communities - Elías

2025-01-28 21:44:02 UTC

It might seem easier to impact one person rather than a whole community. 🙃

Individualist vs. collectivist cultures. We like to ascribe success to people's individual actions rather than as a collective effort.

-Pamela