Introduction: In the Swedish National Public Health Policy (SNPHP) from year 2003 the overall aim is "to create social conditions which ensure good health for the entire population". The policy includes three levels of determinants for health; structural factors, living conditions and lifestyles.

The aim of this study was to gain knowledge about local politicians and officials definitions of local health promotion and activities in comparison with the SNPHP.

Method: An empirical study based on semi structured interviews with 35 local government politicians and officials in four Swedish municipalities was conducted in year 2006. Content analysis has been used as the analytical approach to get systematic information from the transcripts of the interviews in order to gain deeper understanding of how the interviewed described local health promotion.

Findings: The interviewed key persons define health promotion as wide-ranging incorporation of several actors in order to improve populations living conditions such as safe and healthy environments. Lifestyle issues mentioned is e.g. alcohol and tobacco prevention. Prioritized target groups for actions are children and adolescents. Politicians speak more about responsibility and structural issues and local officials talk more about community action.

Conclusion: Local politicians and officials define health promotion as an extensive population-oriented phenomenon dependent of factors related to SNPHPs three levels of determinants for health. Also highlighted is the guiding principles of the Ottawa Charter such as intersectorial and community action.