Lessons Learned in Evidence-Informed Health Promotion to Enhance Healthy Lifestyles Across Societies

Health promotion all over the globe is facing serious challenges related to sedentary lifestyles; most clearly seen in an upward trend of overweight and a parallel downward trend of physical activity. Research has produced ample evidence on the link between body weight and physical activity and health status. On the other hand numerous national and international organizations and governmental bodies have launched policies and recommendations targeted at diverting the unhealthy trends of these hazardous lifestyles. Too often though, the recommendations and interventions have targeted individual behaviors, although we know that many contextual factors, including cultural, environmental, economic and structural factors, including enforcing policies, facilitate the uptake and maintenance of healthier lifestyles. Probably the greatest challenge at the moment is how to integrate the existing research evidence (what could be done), practical know-how (locally optimal and feasible actions) and political reality (including other priorities, economic resources and political pressures) of decision makers to enhance healthy lifestyles. This presentation will review the state-of-the art in international experiences and lessons learned across cultures in health promotion endeavors aiming at building on research evidence and taking into account contextual factors of the respective societies. Examples range from the North Karelia project, which started in the early 1970’s in Finland, to examples of the present day international research on the issue (e.g. www.repopa.eu). The lessons learnt are reflected against the developments in multi-disciplinary theoretical understanding, emergence of evidence-based/informed interventions, multi-cultural research as well as challenges posed by globalization and related forces on societies and individuals. 275 words