IUHPE

International Union for Health Promotion and Education

GWG on Salutogenesis

What is the Salutogenic orientation?

Salutogenesis is a concept originally developed by Aaron Antonovsky (1979, 1987). In the broadest sense, salutogenesis refers to a scholarly orientation focusing attention on the study of the origins of health, instead of the origins of disease. In essence, salutogenesis is concerned with positive health, creating coherent living environments, strengthening socio-ecological health resources as well as strengthening the sense of coherence of individuals and groups. As all these aspects well align with the orientation of health promotion, salutogenesis has become a guiding theory for the field of health promotion (see Handbook of Salutogenesis).

Background and Organisation

The Global Working Group was established in 2007 at the IUHPE General Assembly, in Vancouver, Canada – to advance and promote the science of salutogenesis within health promotion.

The Global Working Group on Salutogenesis (GWG-SAL) is an international and interdisciplinary group with the following membership: the group consist of up to 20 members representing different world regions and research areas of salutogenesis. Members are elected by this group for a period of 5 years (repeated elections possible). It is responsible for implementing the action plan of the GWG-Sal.

To broaden the reach of Salutogenesis within and beyond the field of health promotion, the GWG-SAL founded the Society for Theory and Research on Salutogenesis STARS as a transdisciplinary platform for scientific exchange between researchers in the field of salutogenesis. The society is a bridge between the International Union for Health Promotion and Education's (IUHPE) Global Working Group on Salutogenesis (GWG), and the broader scientific community working in areas other than health promotion. STARS welcomes anyone with an interest in the science of salutogenesis! register here!

Mission

Ø To advance and promote the science of salutogenesis (philosophy, theory, methodology, evidence) and thus to contribute to the scientific base of health promotion and of the IUHPE

Objectives

Along with the general aims of the GWG of the IUHPE, the GWG-Sal pursues the following objectives:

salutogenesis-related agenda-setting for, within and beyond the IUHPE;
contribution of the salutogenic approach to the IUHPE and other scientific programs;
engage with key (regional) research fields and stakeholders for capacity building regarding salutogenesis.

Working principles

Considering principles of the Ottawa Charter
Inclusiveness regarding regions, gender, age etc.
Coherent work plan: comprehensible, manageable, meaningful for GWG members
Voluntary engagement through joyful experience
Feasibility: link meetings of GWG-Sal to related health promotion conferences

If you like to know more about or get involved in any of the below activities, please contact the Chair of the GWG-Sal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Found a “Society for Theory and Research on Salutogenesis” STARS: Provide a trans-disciplinary platform for exchange between researchers in the field of salutogenesis. STARS reaches out to researchers beyond the field of health promotion who can contribute new approaches and new areas of application of salutogenesis. The GWG-Sal acts as a bridge between this society and the IUHPE and is responsible for its activities. Founded in 2017. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Organize the 6. International Conference on Salutogenesis – advancing Salutogenesis towards thriving societies, University of Zurich, Switzerland, April 14-15 2020. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contribute to scientific conferences and seminars related to salutogenesis:

Biannual International Forum of Health Promotion Research 2016, 2018, 2020. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
IUHPE European Health Promotion Research Network & Conference Trondheim 2018; NN 2020; Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
IUHPE Global Health Promotion Conference New Zealand 2019. (pre-conference research seminar, sub-plenary salutogenesis – a global perspective, further symposia) Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Write a position paper on advancing the concept of Salutogenesis: published in Health Promotion International: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daz057
Compile a second edition of the Handbook of Salutogenesis. Editors: Maurice B. Mittelmark (corresponding); Georg F. Bauer; Bengt Lindstrom; Jurgen M. Pelikan; Shifra Sagy; Monica Eriksson; Lenneke Vaandrager; Claudia Meier Magistretti. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Organize annual meetings of the GWG-Sal
Provide up-dated information on the website of GWG-Sal: please send news regarding Salutogenesis to the Chair of the GWG-Sal This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chair

Georg Bauer, Switzerland This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HQ

Center of Salutogenesis, Division Public & Organizational Health, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Membership

Name

Institution / area of expertise