Health-promoting palliative care: Developing a social model for practice

It is a common misunderstanding that health promotion and palliative care are opposite initiatives when, in fact, they can and should enjoy a complementary relationship. This paper discusses the core ideals of health promotion and outlines the nature and shape of these as they might appear in palliative care practice. The work of the health-promoting palliative care unit at La Trobe University is provided as an example of this public health practice. Current and future problems are identified.