Categories

Content Type

Sources

Setting the example; Health educators focus on improving lives of others

By Jason Lee, Tribune Media Services, Source: Tribune Media Services

Health educators can have a profound impact the life and well being of others.

Through raising awareness, providing information and supporting and leading advocacy efforts, health educators help millions of people each day learn more about important topics such as diet, exercise, tobacco use and other lifestyle choices.

The work of health educators includes planning and directing programs, designing health-related workshops and forums, working closely with community groups and writing health education materials such as fact sheets, pamphlets and brochures that match the needs of the population.

They can be found working in a variety of settings with an array of agencies, businesses and schools to develop and deliver educational programs. For example, a health educator might counsel factory workers about protecting themselves from pollution at the workplace, teach teenagers about how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, or partner with families of patients who are recovering from heart attack.

No matter the setting, health educators often provide a window for many to a happier, healthier life. Opportunities in health education are plentiful and varied. Here are a few of the many avenues to consider:

_Schools – Health educators in schools teach health as a subject and promote and implement coordinated school health programs, including health services, student, staff, and parent health education, as well as promote healthy school environments and school-community partnerships. At the school district level they develop educational methods and materials; coordinate, promote, and evaluate programs; and write funding proposals.

_College and university campuses – College and university health educators are part of a team working to create an environment in which students make healthy choices and create a caring community. They identify needs; advocate and do community organizing; teach courses or individual classes; develop mass media campaigns; and train peer educators and counselors. They also address issues related to disease prevention; consumer, environmental, emotional and sexual health; first aid, safety and disaster preparedness; substance abuse prevention; human growth and development; and nutrition and eating issues. They may also manage grants and conduct research.

_Business & industry – Health educators in the business world perform or coordinate employee counseling as well as education services, employee health risk appraisals and health screenings. They design, promote, lead and/or evaluate programs about weight control, hypertension, nutrition, substance abuse prevention, physical fitness, stress management and smoking cessation; develop educational materials; and write grants for money to support these projects. They also may help companies meet occupational health and safety regulations, work with the media, and identify community health resources for employees.

_Health care settings – Working at health care facilities, educators instruct patients about medical procedures, operations, services and therapeutic treatments, as well as create activities and incentives to encourage use of health services by high-risk patients. They also conduct staff training and consult with other healthcare providers about behavioral, cultural or social barriers to health; promote self-care; develop activities to improve patient participation on clinical processes; educate individuals to protect, promote or maintain their health and reduce risky behaviors; make appropriate community-based referrals; and write grants.

_Community organizations and government agencies – Health educators who work for government institutions or community organizations help communities identify their needs, draw upon an area’s problem-solving abilities and mobilize resources to develop, promote, implement and evaluate strategies to improve and maintain the health of residents. They also perform community organizing and outreach and do grant writing, coalition building, advocacy, and develop, produce, and evaluate mass media health campaigns.

American Association for Health Education


SIDEBAR

Did you know?

It is estimated that low health literacy costs the health care system approximately $73 billion annually. The primary reasons are longer hospital stays or re-hospitalization and reduced access to health services.

It has been estimated that about 40 percent of patients don’t understand what it means when the prescription bottle’s label reads,” “Take on an empty stomach.”

© 2009, Tribune Media Services