The growing emphasis on health promotion by society and the increasing utilization of Orem's general theory of nursing to guide practice, education and research create a need to clanfy health promotion activity withm the model The concept of health promotion self‐care is developed after an analysis of statements by Pender and Orem for their logical congruence Further m‐depth analysis of Orem's model facibtates the placement of the new concept within its current structure The potential strength of the model for guiding health promotion practice is discussed, as well as areas for needed develop