Reconfiguring the concept and practice of ‘health promotion’ in nursing is needed to shift health inequalities

Health inequalities remain persistent and challenging. In some instances, health inequalities are growing within society with some communities disproportionately likely to die sooner and experience more ill health. At the core of addressing health inequalities is a need to focus on structural and political level determinants, rather than individual choices and lifestyles which are often a manifestation of broader economic and social issues. Health promotion is a key discipline in reversing health inequalities and it is laudable that the nursing curricula focuses substantially on promoting health. However this paper argues that without reconfiguration of training and practice, the nurse workforce will consistently fall short in meaningfully addressing health inequalities. A shift is needed in the training; conceptual understanding; and practical execution of health promotion by those within the nursing sector. The paper suggests some tangible ways forward to redefine the health-promoting potential of the nurse workforce.