Explores the main theoretical concepts and models in health promotion and explains the significance, practical application and impact of different theories on the individual, community and organisation.

1. Theory1.1 What is a theory?1.2 The use of theory1.3 Single theory or multiple theories?2. Theories which explain health behaviour and health behaviour change by focussing on individual characteristics2.1 The health belief model2.2 The theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour2.3 The transtheoretical (stages of change) model2.4 Social Cognitive Theory2.5 Summary3. Theories which explain change in communities and communal action for health3.1 Diffusion of innovation theory3.2 Community Organisation and Community Building3.3 Summary4. Models which guide communication to bring about behaviour change4.1 Health Literacy4.2 Communication-behaviour change model4.3 Social marketing4.4 Summary4. Models which explain change in organisations and the creation of health-supportive organisational practice5.1 Theories of organisational change5.2 Models of intersectoral action5.3 Summary6. Models which explain the development of healthy public policy6.1 A framework for making healthy public policy6.2 Evidence-based policy-making to promote health6.3 Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment6.4 SummaryEpilogue: Theory in practice