Health and Wellbeing in the School Community Environment: Evidence for the Effectiveness of a Health Promoting Schools Approach

Changes in the conceptualisation of health and wellbeing have led to our understanding of the social-ecological view of health where the impact of the social, mental, physical and economic environments on health is recognised. Current evidence recommends the use of integrated, comprehensive approaches to address the underlying causes of health problems in specific settings. The health promoting schools approach, based on the application of the five action strategies of the Ottawa Charter to the school setting, is a process employed by whole school communities to enable them to address the identified social and health needs of their school and local community. International evidence indicates that school health interventions that recognise and work within such an approach have made a positive impact on the wellbeing of young people. A consistent pattern indicates that the more comprehensive the approach, the more effective the outcomes for youth wellness. This article reviews such evidence and examines data emerging from three related research projects in Queensland, Australia.