Young people and alcohol misuse : how can nurses use the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion ?

Alcohol misuse in Australia society is a community issue that can be addressed successfully within a health promotion framework. It is important that strategies are not perceived as ‘quick fixes’ but work toward addressing some of the underlying structural factors that contribute to the problem. Objective The objective of this article is to demonstrate how nurses can use the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion framework in addressing alcohol misuse among young people. Primary argument The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986) provides a useful framework from which to view the health of whole populations over their life course and in doing so work toward strengthening peoples’ health potential (World Health Organization 2005). The relevance of the Charter lies not only in the influence it has on establishing health promotion practice, but also the influence it has on health policy development and health research (World Health Organization 2005). Conclusion Parents and community members have an important role to play in addressing alcohol misuse among adolescents but they need to be supported by nurses who can provide care within a health promotion framework. POINT OF VIEW