Strengthening the Capacity for Health Promotion: Reflections on Forty Years Since the Ottawa Charter

Biehl, Verena;Potvin, Louise;Plunger, Petra;Wahl, Anna;Van den Broucke, Stephan
(2026) International Journal of Public Health — Vol. 71, n° 1, p. 1609452 (2026)

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Authors
  • Biehl, VerenaInstitute of Public Health, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences
    Author
  • Potvin, LouiseSchool of Public Health, Université de Montréal,
    Author
  • Plunger, PetraCompetence Centre Future Health Promotion, Austrian National Public Health Institute
    Author
  • Wahl, AnnaDepartment Society, Health and Health Equity, Austrian National Public Health Institute
    Author
Abstract
Health promotion is central to public health. The Ottawa Charter marked a milestone by defining health as a dynamic resource for everyday living and initiating a paradigm shift toward empowerment, participation, and creating supportive environments. Over nearly four decades, these principles have shaped public health policies, training programs, and institutional structures. Yet, as the COVID-19 crisis demonstrated, gaps remain that limit HP’s full integration into public health systems. This commentary reviews key achievements of HP since Ottawa and identifies directions for future progress, drawing on the analytic capacity framework proposed by Aluttis et al.
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Citations

Biehl, V., Potvin, L., Plunger, P., Wahl, A., & Van den Broucke, S. (2026). Strengthening the Capacity for Health Promotion: Reflections on Forty Years Since the Ottawa Charter. International Journal of Public Health, 71(1), 1609452. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609452 (Original work published 2026)