The Ottawa Charter contains no explicit mention of the role evidence should play in supporting the development of health promotion, nor is there a discussion on the available methods or recommendations for assessing the effectiveness of health promotion programs and policies. The authors of this paper suggest evidence and effectiveness were not prioritized in the Ottawa Charter, and consequently, attracted little attention during the early development of health promotion practice. This paper reflects upon the various implications of a push to assess the effectiveness of health promotion well after the release of the Ottawa Charter; examines progress in this area since the Ottawa Charter; and challenges the reader to continue on in their own contemplation of remaining challenges ahead, in preparation for the 19th IUHPE World Conference, of which “assessing health promotion effectiveness” is one of the key themes. (Promotion & Education, 2007, Supplement (2): pp 28-30).
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