[Health education in the communities. A survey conducted in 1987]

Health education in the primary health sector in Norway is to be strengthened. The recently implemented health service reform (1984) is intended to stimulate the development of health promotion and health education in the municipalities. A survey on municipality involvement in health education was conducted in 1987, and showed a higher level of activity as well as an increased interest in the subject among health professionals. However, when the official policy is compared with the local situation several discrepancies are revealed: no substantial improvement of health education methodology has appeared; cooperation with non-governmental organizations is less than anticipated; and health education is normally not directed at local politics or participation. The chosen strategy for governmental control, characterised by decentralising the decision-making process, has not been found to be sufficient to ensure a stronger emphasis on primary prevention and health promotion. In 1989 a nation-wide five-year programme to stimulate local health promotion was launched by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs in cooperation with the Directorate of Health. A research programme on health promotion has also been started, administered by the Medical Research Council.