Evidence for the Use of Health Promotion Programs in Schools

Health promotion is defined as “a process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health” (Scaffa, 2019, p. 442). Promotion of health is a common goal that is shared by numerous disciplines (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Health promotion directed towards occupational therapy is the “client-centered use of occupations, adaptations to context, or alteration of context to maximize individuals’, families’, communities’, and groups’ pursuit of health and quality of life” (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Health promotion is essential for all age groups, especially for young children who are completing their beginning years of school. Children’s thoughts, behaviors, and health are heavily influenced by their physical and social environment (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Other health determinants include genetics, and geographical location (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Lack of accessibility can result in occupational deprivation, which negatively impacts the health of individuals (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Occupational deprivation is defined as, “the lack of access to engagement in an array of self-selected occupations that are meaningful to the individual, family, or community, which can result in ill health” (Reitz & Graham, 2019, p. 677). Occupational therapists need to be aware of demographics when working with populations. Occupational therapists are obligated to create programs for health promotion that are easily comprehended and can be accessed by the general public (Reitz and Graham, 2019)