The 1998 World Health Assembly not only elected a new Director General, Dr Bruntland, but also endorsed the first ever WHO resolution specifically on health promotion (WHO, 1998). Such resolutions are of importance for both practical and symbolic reasons. They signal relative priority, and commit WHO and member states to take action. The resolution on health promotion was derived largely from the Jakarta Declaration on Health Promotion into the 21st Century (WHO, 1997). It urges WHO member states to take action on the five priorities from the Declaration, and among other things requests that the Director General supports the development of evidence-based health promotion policy and practice within the organization (WHO, 1998).