The Ottawa Charter first came into existence at the First International Health Promotion Conference in Ottawa, Canada 21 November 1986. Here, a never before charter of such reputed importance was forged that not only promoted health, but also implemented various strategies that an individual, group or community could adhere to in order to achieve a healthy overall well-being by the year 2000. The context in which the Ottawa Charter was created is of great significance. Essentially, the Charter was forged during the age of technology i.e. televisions/telephones etc. This enabled the Charter to broadcast Health Promotion on an international scale and thus enabled the easy access of information to the general public. Fundamentally, the Charter was forged in order to address the growing health concerns that had emerged in the twentieth century -most prominently AIDS and obesity. Such rises in illnesses, both mentally, physically and spiritually have been revered as catalysts which prompted for the genesis of the Charter. Essentially, the Charters main motive was to respond to the increasing expectations for a contemporary health movement around the world. In lieu of this, five main initiatives were created. These include; developing personal skills, creating supportive environments, strengthening community actions, re-orienting health services and building public healthy policy. Various health promotion strategies that have proliferated primarily because of the charter include; Closing the Gap, National Chronic Disease Strategy 2005 and Aged Care Access Initiative. In achieving a better state of health, the prerequisites of health that have been established include; to advocate, enable and mediate. The historical significance of such strategies and implementations is of undisputed value as it is in essence a reflection of growing public sentiment regarding the importance and the need
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