Theory in A Nutshell, 4th Edition

Not all health promotion programs are equally successful in achieving their aims and objectives. The use of theory significantly improves the chances of success.

Theory in a Nutshell 4e provides practitioners and students of health promotion with an overview of the most influential theories and models used to guide health promotion practice. For each theory discussed, an explanation of the main elements of the theory is provided, followed by a commentary on its relative strengths and weaknesses, and somesuggestions as to how it can be applied to the real world.

New to this edition:

• greater attention to the influence and application of digital communication and technologies on health promotion practice
• examples and reflections on lessons that have emerged since 2020 from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Written by internationally recognised leaders in the field, all sections have been thoroughly revised and updated, while maintaining the concise, accessible style of the previous editions. This book is highly recommended for public health practitioners, health promotion and health education specialists, and social policy makers, as well as students of public health and health promotion.

About the Authors

Don Nutbeam is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Sydney. His career has spanned senior leadership positions in universities, government, health services and international organisations including the World Health Organization and the World Bank. He has research interests in the social and behavioural determinants of health, and in the development and evaluation of public health interventions.

Elizabeth Harris has worked for many decades researching, teaching and promoting health equity in Australia. She led the development of equity-focused health impact assessment in Australia. Before her retirement she established two research centres in Sydney: the Health Equity Research and Development Unit and the Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation.

Marilyn Wise is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of New South Wales, Sydney’s Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity. Her career in health promotion has included leadership positions in health promotion practice, teaching and research—and in the professional development of the health promotion workforce in Australia and internationally.