Health promotion teaching in post-graduation in international public health in the context of the Bologna process

Abstract

In recent decades it has been highlighted the need to renew higher education through the Bologna process to meet the demands of a new society. Simultaneously, public health and health promotion have evolved towards the achievement of the aspiration of increasing the years of healthy life, reducing health inequalities and facing the multiple health problems that affect the population today. This evolution has stimulated the reflection on the challenges of education, research and practical implementation of these disciplines. In this paper, it is intended to produce an integrated view of the specificities of health promotion teaching and its role in the progression of the student's education in International Public Health, presenting as an example its integration in the post-graduation program of the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical in Portugal. The teaching proposal presented aims to contribute to the formation of a critical mass of informed and skilled professionals to work in policy formulation and strategies implementation that contribute to the improvement of populations' health. In an educational policy perspective, providing knowledge, skills and values for professionals to translate theory and research into effective policies and practices is essential to strengthen the global health promotion.