PUBH 2000: Principles of Human Health

There are several theories and models that support the practice of health promotion and disease prevention. Theories and models are used in program planning to understand and explain health behavior and to guide the identification, development, and implementation of interventions.

When identifying a theory or model to guide health promotion or disease prevention programs, it is important to consider a range of factors, such as the specific health problem being addressed, the population(s) being served, and the contexts within which the program is being implemented. Health promotion and disease prevention programs typically draw from one or more theories or models.

Community mental health is an approach to providing access to professional mental health care in local communities. It includes services offered through public mental health programs, public health departments, community mental health centers, private programs, medical clinics, hospitals, religious organizations, colleges and other educational institutions, and neighborhood centers. Community mental health assessment has evolved into a field of research called psychiatric epidemiology, which determines the prevalence of various mental disorders in specific communities, with the goal of developing appropriate community mental health programs and evaluating their effectiveness.