This handbook offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary study of health promotion and health literacy across the life course, social contexts, and population groups. Bringing together theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence, and practice-based insights, the book situates health promotion within broader contexts of equity, human rights, sustainability, and social justice.

The opening chapters set the conceptual foundations by examining health promotion through multiple perspectives such as intersectionality, human rights, life course theory, and the social determinants of health. The volume then advances key hypotheses and models of health behaviour change, highlighting structural drivers of health inequalities and the critical role of community participation in shaping effective health promotion strategies. Attention is also given to the integration of traditional healthcare practices and the challenges and opportunities of health-promoting settings, including universities and schools.

Another focus of the book is health literacy, explored in depth through cultural, social, behavioral, and critical perspectives. Chapters address social capital, sustainability, health and well-being promoting behavior, and knowledge construction, with particular emphasis on low and middle-income countries and under privileged populations. There are chapters that examine cancer literacy, vaccine literacy, and digital and mobile health literacy as tools for reducing health disparities.

The latter sections of the book present diverse applications and interventions in health promotion and health literacy, spanning perinatal health, nutrition, mental health, caregiving, aging, neurodiversity, occupational health, and sports. Community-based and participatory approaches—such as mindfulness programs, peer support initiatives, applied theatre, ecosystem-based models, and culturally grounded healing practices—demonstrate how theory can be translated into practice across varied social and cultural settings.

Overall, this volume serves as a valuable resource for researchers, educators, policymakers, and practitioners in public health, health promotion, health education, and related fields. By bridging theory, research, and practice, it offers critical insights and practical guidance for advancing health promotion and health literacy in diverse and evolving contexts.

Professor Pranee Liamputtong is a distinguished medical anthropologist whose research focuses on the health and well-being of women, children, immigrants, refugees, the elderly, ethnic minorities, and transgender individuals. Her work is particularly dedicated to maternal and neonatal health, sexual and reproductive health, gender and sexual well-being, psychological health, and chronic illnesses influenced by climate change. Her recent studies have examined gender and sexual health concerns among Asian women, refugee and immigrant women, youth, and transgender women from ethnic minority backgrounds. In Vietnam, she has investigated the effects of air pollution on maternal and neonatal health. Additionally, her research explores the health and overall well-being of ethnic minority women. As a leading social science researcher, Professor Pranee has authored numerous books on qualitative research methodologies and various social and health-related topics. Her books include Qualitative Research Methods, Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice, Handbook of Qualitative Cross-Cultural Research, Researching the Vulnerable, Handbook of Research Sensitive Research in the Social Sciences, Social Determinants of Health, Focus Group Methodology, Research Methods in Health Social Sciences, Handbook of Social Sciences and Global Public Health. These works are widely recognized and used in both Australia and internationally. Before joining VinUni, Professor Pranee served as a Professor of Public Health, where she taught Qualitative research methods, Social determinants of health, Gender and health, Cultural diversity in healthcare, and Health communication. At VinUniversity, she has contributed to both medical and nursing degree programs, teaching courses such as Health Communication, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Research Methods in Nursing, and Qualitative Research Methods in the medical program. She has also mentored numerous undergraduate students in the MD and BN programs, guiding them through research projects as part of their studies and career development. Additionally, she has provided mentorship to faculty members in their research and publication efforts. Currently, Professor Pranee serves as Professor of Social Science and Chair of the Research Committee within CAS as well as Leader of the Living Lab pillar at the Center for Environmental Intelligence (CEI).