helbredsskabende

Helbredsskabende is a Danish term that translates to "health-creating" or "salutogenic" in English. It refers to a perspective and approach in health science that focuses on the factors contributing to the maintenance and promotion of health, rather than solely on the causes of disease. This concept emerged from the work of Aaron Antonovsky, an Israeli-American sociologist, who developed the salutogenic model as a counterpoint to the more traditional pathogenic model, which centers on identifying and treating illness.

The core of the helbredsskabende approach lies in the concept of the "sense of coherence" (sammenhængskraft). This is a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive, dynamic feeling of confidence that the stresses of life are manageable and that the demands of life are worth the commitment and the challenges they entail. A strong sense of coherence is believed to be built on three components: comprehensibility (the extent to which stimuli are ordered, consistent, structured, and clear), manageability (the extent to which resources are available to meet demands), and meaningfulness (the extent to which life is perceived as having emotional significance and as being worthy of commitment and effort).

Individuals with a strong sense of coherence are better equipped to cope with stressors, adapt to change, and maintain their health and well-being throughout life. The helbredsskabende perspective emphasizes empowering individuals and communities by fostering these resources, promoting resilience, and creating environments that support health rather than simply preventing illness. It shifts the focus from what is wrong to what is right and how to enhance it.