Foundations of Health Education

Key Concepts / Review

Current Status of Health Education/Promotion

21st Century – “Behavioral patterns are the single most prominent domain of influence over health prospects in the United States” (McGinnis et al., 2002, p. 82)

Figure 1.3: Infectious and chronic disease death rates in the U.S, 1900-2000.

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

(OECD Handbook, 2013)

Life Expectancy – 2012 (estimated)

(CIA World Factbook, 2013)

In Other Words ….

Health Education is about prevention.

http://www.kaiseredu.org/topics_im.asp?imID=1&parentID=61&id=358

Why Prevention?

“Many of the health problems the nation will deal with in the balance of this century and into the next are fully preventable.” (Minelli and Breckon, 2009, pg 21)

“Cessation of tobacco use, moderate use of alcohol, daily exercise, and good nutrition can prevent literally millions of deaths and negate the need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on health care.” (Minelli and Breckon, 2009, Pg 21)

Levels of Prevention

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

Limits of Prevention Biological Technological Ethical Concerns Economic

Success stories… Decrease in:

Heart disease, stroke mortality, accidental injuries, motor vehicle accident deaths, cervical cancer, lung cancer….

Good News!

There is a demand for health education now. Consumerism Inflation Increase in chronic disease

Key Players

Secretary of Health & Human Services ________________

“Our goal for all Americans to live healthier, more prosperous, and more productive lives.”

U.S. Surgeon General _________________

“Public health is a beautiful mission. There is no nobility to it because, ultimately, it isn’t about one person or one family, it is a bigger thing.”

Health Education as a Profession

Professions

What do you think of in a profession or a professional?

“a vocation or occupation requiring advanced education and training, and involving intellectual skills.” (Agnes, 2001, pg 1145 – 1146)

Characteristics of a Profession

Extensive training required Accredited institutions

Work is based on specialized body of knowledge and expertise Theoretical base

Standards of practice Competencies

Commitment to serving a social value Code of Ethics

Professional autonomy

Health Education & Health Educators

What is health education?What is a health educator?

Health educators… “work to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellness through educating individuals and communities about behaviors that can prevent diseases, injuries, and other problems.”

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010)

Importance of Health Educators

“We would be terribly remiss if we did not seize the opportunity presented by health promotion and disease prevention to dramatically cut health-care costs, to prevent the premature onset of disease and disability, and to help all Americans achieve healthier, more productive lives.”

Louis Sullivan, former Secretary of Health & Human Services, 1989-1993

What does a Health Educator do?

Job Responsibilities: Seven core competencies:

Assess needs Plan health education Implement health education Conduct evaluation and research related to health

education Administer and manage health education Serve as a health education resource person Communicate and advocate for health and health

education

(NCHEC.org, 2010)

Work Settings

Medical care settingsColleges and universitiesSchoolsPublic health departmentsNonprofit organizationsPrivate businesses

Training for health educators

Baccalaureate programs: Prepare graduates in all seven of the core

competencies Internships are required

Certification is available Still voluntary for now….

Health Education as a profession

Is Health Education a profession?

Until recently… Too much diversity in preparatory programs No single set of accreditation standards Uncertainty about qualifications No quality assurance for consumers

(Henderson, Wolfe, Cortese & Mcintosh, 1981)

Good news though…

About 250 academic programs availableProfession-wide Code of Ethics has been

endorsedContinuing research continues to provide a

strong theoretical base for interventionsProfessional organizations are working

togetherU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has

recognized Health Educators as a profession! http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos063.htm