The HPH network has defined 18 strategies for carrying out this mission. In addition, the network provides a wealth of information for hospitals to conduct these activities, such as self-assessments and implementation manuals, newsletters, conferences and task forces in specific areas such as children’s health or psychiatric care.

Key Players
While hospitals may not see their role as promoting health, there are many reasons, according to the WHO, why they should:

- As institutions with a large number of workers and service users, hospitals can reach a large section of the population (staff, patients and their families).

- As centers of modern medicine, research and education that accumulate much knowledge and experience, hospitals can influence professional practice in other centers and social groups.

- As producers of large amounts of waste, hospitals can contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution; and as large-scale consumers, they can use environmentally sound and safe products.

Many hospitals in the United States have already recognized their role in health promotion. In fact, some 11 percent of American hospitals now have fitness centers, health-promotion programs and related programs affiliated with their institutions. Their numbers are growing.

In fact, according the Medical Fitness Association, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association, some 875 U.S. hospitals have already committed to disease prevention by building wellness centers.
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