1. Foundations of Health Education

2. Key Concepts / Review What is “health”?
Gold Standard Definition:
“A dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
(WHO)
Communicable vs Noncommunicable Diseases
Multicausation Disease Model
Focuses on non-communicable diseases
Genetics; Behavior; Environment; Social Circumstances; Access to Care

3. 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,
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

4. (OECD Handbook, 2013)

5. Life Expectancy – 2012 (estimated)
(CIA World Factbook, 2013)

6. In Other Words …. Health Education is about prevention.

7. 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)

8. 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….

9. Good News! There is a demand for health education now. Consumerism
Inflation
Increase in chronic disease

10. 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.”

11. Health Education as a Profession

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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,

16. 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)

17. Work Settings Medical care settings Colleges and universities Schools
Public health departments
Nonprofit organizations
Private businesses

18. 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….

19. 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)

20. Good news though… About 250 academic programs available
Profession-wide Code of Ethics has been endorsed
Continuing research continues to provide a strong theoretical base for interventions
Professional organizations are working together
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has recognized Health Educators as a profession!