Health promotion and Hutterite cultural change: Individual and group change processes

This thesis presents an examination of the cultural change processes involved in cardiovascular health promotion among Canadian Hutterites. The study takes place within the context of the Hutterite Heart Health Promotion Project, using an ethnographic approach to assess the success of public health intervention in Alberta Hutterite colonies. The processes of change involved in attempts by Hutterites and health promoters to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Hutterite colonies are related to change processes discussed in the ethnographic literature.;The study found several processes operating in health promotion, including controlled innovation, leadership initiative, re-categorization, individual decision, and feedback in consensus formation. Variation in the success of health promotion reflects colony diversity and the influence of many factors including the Hutterian faith, the balance between individual and collective, and colony interest in health. Recommendations are made to help health professionals promote health among Hutterites.