The Healthy Childhood Research Group

• Glossary of HP Terms
• Measuring Health & Safety
• Parent Partnerships
• Community Linkages

Glossary
Terms relating to health promotion and health-promoting activities

• Brainstorming
  This is an exercise which is done with two or more people. A question or topic is determined and all involved call out ideas or answers to the question. The answers should be recorded where everyone can see them. There must be no culling of brainstormed answers in the first run. Everything that is called out should be written down. Later when the brainstorm is complete the group can go through the list of items and reflect upon which should remain in the list or not. Research has shown that brainstorms inspire creative approaches to issues and questions when there are no judgements made on answers given and when there is some pressure to provide as many answers as possible as quickly as possible. It is acceptable to ask each participant for one last idea before the brainstorm session ends.
  
  
• Community
  A group of people who share some common purpose(s).
  
  
• Egroup
  This is a group of people who interact as a discussion group through the means of an Internet directory such as “Yahoo Groups”. Information can be placed by all onto this virtual bulletin.
  
  
• Facilitation
  This is the act of working with people to assist and stimulate action. The facilitator brings out the ideas and strengths of others. The facilitator does not prescribe or tell others what to do.
  
  
• Health
  This means more than the absence of disease. Over and above being free from sickness, individuals can be considered to be in a state of health when they are dealing positively with all components within their environment(s). Thus health is related to feelings of empowerment and security. Facilitators of health include not only medical professionals but also those who assist individuals to deal with all components of their environment(s).
  
  
• Health Promotion
  This describes actions which facilitate the development and maintenance of healthy environments for individuals, families, groups and communities.
  
  
• Health-Promoting Setting
  This is a recognisable place where people interact on a regular basis. A setting which is health-promoting, where people feel supported, empowered and have a sense of belonging. Health promotion settings contribute to health and well-being through information sharing, learning activities, opportunities for networking, socialising and other areas of growth and development.
  
  
• Linkage
  This refers to a two-way contact between groups or individuals.
  
  
• Partnership
  This refers to a relationship or alliance between two or more parties whereby each party contributes meaningfully to the alliance.
  
  
• Sustainability
  This refers to the ability and likelihood that activities and programs will continue when initial resources, support and/or motivation generated by newness of the program diminish.
  
  

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