Air Force Health Promotion aiming to build a culture of health Published May 6, 2014 By Jon Stock Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs WASHINGTON -- Air Force Health Promotion will undergo significant changes over the next year. Many Airmen equate Health Promotion with the "HAWC" (Health and Wellness Center), but that's an outdated view, according to Colonel (Dr.) John Oh, Air Force Medical Support Agency Health Promotion Chief. "Health Promotion is an Air Force Medical Service capability, not a facility," said Colonel Oh. "Promoting healthy populations is a team effort that must include every Airman, as well as line commanders, senior enlisted leaders and medics." Under a new Health Promotion Concept of Operations (CONOPS), installation Health Promotion staff will focus on building a "culture of health" across the base community, through actively supporting the Community Action Information Board and Integrated Delivery System; reaching out to commanders and senior enlisted leaders, and promoting science-based policy and environmental changes that support healthy living. The new CONOPS supports the Military Health System vision to move from "Healthcare to Health" - that it's not enough to provide excellent care in medical facilities, but medics need to actively improve health in their communities. As part of the Health Promotion transition, exercise physiologist and health fitness technician positions will no longer be supported. The strategic pivot toward community health and outreach, coupled with the challenging fiscal climate impacting all of Air Force, drove the need to reduce manning authorizations. The Air Force Medical Service will continue to provide necessary medical support for the Air Force Fitness Program, including issuing profiles to exempt injured or ill Airmen, providing a weight management program for Airmen not meeting body composition assessment standards, and medically evaluating Airmen to ensure they are safe to take the fitness assessment. Colonel Oh emphasized, however, that shaping the environment to promote and normalize healthy behaviors will pay dividends in the long-term. "We're setting up Airmen to fail if we expect them to live healthy but they operate in an environment that encourages tobacco use, lacks healthy food options, and makes sufficient exercise and sleep challenging," Oh said. "Policy and environmental interventions are cost-effective, align with the Air Force "Every Dollar Counts" campaign, and will improve Airmen health and readiness." USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)