Health promotion and nursing: a contribution from the salutogenic perspective

ABSTRACT Objective: To establish a sociological reflection on the health-disease process and the emergence of the salutogenic proposal as a new approach to health promotion. Method: This is a reflective theoretical essay based on Aaron Antonovsky’s theoretical proposal of salutogenesis, conducted in 2024 in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The data analysis was organized into three lines of reflection: “The historical understanding of the health-disease process,” “Health Promotion Policy and Salutogenic Theory: a new approach,” and “The importance of sociological perspectives for nursing”. Results: Salutogenesis can be considered a new approach to operationalizing health promotion, highlighting its importance in the social sciences and nursing practice. Conclusion: Salutogenesis has been little studied, despite its potential contribution to the creation of public policies that use it as a strategic tool for health promotion, improving nursing care practices.