As I reach the conclusion of this course, I find my thoughts are overwhelmingly positive, mixed with a sense of personal growth and renewed focus. This journey has been both informative and challenging, reshaping how I view health promotion within my professional and personal life.
One of the biggest struggles I faced was learning to think upstream rather than downstream. As a social worker, much of my day-to-day involves addressing immediate needs and crises. Throughout the course, I was reminded of the transformative role social determinants play in shaping health outcomes. These insights were both sobering and motivating, reminding me of the critical work that needs to be done to promote health equity. Shifting my perspective to focus on the root causes of health inequities, rather than just their consequences, required significant effort. This upstream approach illustrated how deeply social determinants of health impact individuals and communities, and it underscored the importance of advocating for systemic change.
The resources and frameworks introduced during the course, such as the Population Health Promotion Model and the Ottawa Charter, felt incredibly practical and relevant. These tools reaffirmed the importance of integrating health promotion strategies into my role and organization.
Perhaps my most powerful learning moment came when I realized how much potential lies in my work to influence systemic change. The course challenged me to view my role not just as a responder to social needs but as a proactive advocate for health promotion. I now feel equipped with new perspectives, resources, and strategies that I can apply to improve the health of the communities I serve