Health and Modernity

The aim of this book is to demonstrate how the deep theoretical underpinnings of health promotion contribute to contemporary public health. The 20th century development of the social sciences provided an extensive theoretical debate on modernity that led to a revised social theory. This new social theory is, in the eyes of the authors, totally relevant and essential as the theoretical foundation for present day health promotion practice. The authors contend that the development of health promotion cannot be adequately understood and the challenges cannot be resolved without an explanatory framework of the major societal shifts that have occurred in the latter half of the 20th century. The authors have identified seven key characteristics of modern health promotion that relate directly to the social theory espoused in the book. Within individual chapters and interwoven throughout the entire book the authors consider the interplay of actor and structure, the dynamics of complexity and causality, the interface of inclusion and exclusion, the role of uncertainty and risk, the importance of learning and communication in a knowledge society, the task of framing interventions within new governance principles, and the challenge of acting locally in a global world.This book is designed to help the reader understand how health promotion is based on social theory. Further, it will provide reflexive insights into the everyday practice of health promotion and illustrate that health promotion is an integral part of the modern public health as practiced in the West. This book will be of interest to both health promotion practitioners and social scientists.