Health education, the health promotion movement, and communication

This paper explores the debate between health education and health promotion. It is argued that each is located in a different philosophical tradition, The Modern and The Post-Modern. The Health Promotion movement can unintentionally undermine the very basis of prevention. It is argued that a skills-based approach is required. Drawing on the work of Habermas, a model for the effective delivery of the public health education message is outlined.