Thailand, the Netherlands and
United Kingdom won the first-time IHUPE awards for the best health promotion
programs at the 21st International Union for Health Promotion and Education
conference in Pattaya.
Thailand, the Netherlands and United Kingdom won awards
for the best health promotion programs at the 21st International Union for
Health Promotion and Education conference in Pattaya.
Dr. Prakit Vateesatokkit, general secretary of Thailand’s Smoking and Health
Foundation Thailand; Dr. Don Eliseo Lucero Prisno III, a Dutch academician
who researched the health benefits of sailing for the University of the
Philippines; and Dr. Gene R. Carter, former managing director and CEO of the
Associate for Supervision and Curriculum Development in the U.K. received
the first-time IHUPE awards during the meeting’s closing ceremonies at the
Royal Cliff’s PEACH Convention Center Aug. 29.
“I believe that, during five days of the meeting, more than 2,200
participants from 81 countries around the world could share their experience
and apply the knowledge to their countries,” said Dr. Udomsilp Srisangnam,
advisor to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. “This meeting revealed that
the society, community and private sector need to take part in formulating
the country’s health policy, which will improve the better wellbeing of
world population. Moreover, health promotion is the responsibility of
everyone, not just the academicians, operating officers or decision makers.”
Udomsilp said that the best health promoter award aimed to show the
individuals and organizations the role models in health promotion. The award
winners were among 13 nominated by the IUHPE, Rockefeller Foundation,
ThaiHealth and conference attendees.
Prakit said smoking-related illnesses can be easily
prevented if people simply stopped smoking. “The challenges, he said, are
understanding decision makers, access to equal medical treatment, and
people’s understanding of the diseases and budget for sustainable health
promotion.”
Prisno said he was inspired to work in health promotion because of his
aspiration to improve other people’s wellbeing. “Still, there were some
challenges of turning research into policy and execution. For many times,
the research has clearly provided the knowledge that can be applied.
Therefore, the research needs to be linked with the implementation,” he
said.
Carter said that children’s health would affect their learning ability.
“Therefore, investment in children is the crucial foundation. Their families
and school play an important role in promoting their health and wellbeing.
However, it is challenging to change the attitude of the related parties.
They should be aware that health promotion is the strongly related to the
education system, with the educators leading the idea of this topic.”
