The Settings for Health Education

1. The Settings for Health Education Chapter 7

2. Health Educators • Help individuals & communities reduce their health risks • In 2002 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2004) • 43,000 health educators in U.S. • Average salary $39,190 • Work in a variety of settings – four major ones

3. Major Settings • Schools • Hospitals/clinics • Community/public health agencies • Business/industry

4. School Health • “Involves all the strategies, activities, and services offered by, in, or in association with schools that are designed to promote students’ physical, emotional, and social development” (ASHA, 2004). • Potential to impact students is tremendous • 53 million students • 119,000 schools • Can be very effective

5. National Health Education Standards • Developed by the Joint Committee on National Health Education Standards (AAHE, ASHA, APHA, SSDHPER) & sponsored by the ACS • Students will… • comprehend concepts related to health promotion & disease prevention • demonstrate the ability to access valid health information & health-promoting products & services • demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors & reduce health risks

6. National Health Education Standards (con’t.) • Students will… 4. analyze the influence of culture, media, technology, & other factors on health 5. demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health 6. demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting and decision-making skills to enhance health • demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, & community health • Performance indicators for each standard for grades 4, 8, & 11

7. Coordinated school health program – “an organized set of polices, procedures, and activities designed to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of students and staff…” (Joint Committee, 2001)

8. School Health Educators • Preparation • Teacher-preparation curriculum in college • Licensed by the state • Responsibilities • Teach (typically 7-12, sometimes K-6) • Lesson planning, grading, parent meetings, disciplining, coaching, & administrative duties • Also, developing curricula, after-school activities, & committee work (i.e., Drug Task Force) • Advocate for school health

9. Community/Public Health Education • Community health education – “a theory-driven process that promotes health & prevents disease within populations”(Joint Committee, 2001) • Healthy People 2010 – Healthly People in Healthy Communities • Types of agencies • Voluntary (e.g., ACS, AHA, ALA) • Public health agencies (official governmental agencies) (e.g., LPHAs, state health department, Federal agencies)

10. Community/Public Health Education (con’t.) • Large diversity of job responsibilities • Responsibilities • Planning, implementing, & evaluating programs • Administrative functions: e.g.,fund raising, budgeting, recruiting & coordinating volunteers, grant proposal writing • Coalition building • Committee work & public speaking • Media advocacy

11. Worksite Health Promotion & Education • Worksite health promotion – “a combination of educational, organizational and environmental activities designed to improve the health & safety of employees & their families”(Joint Commission, 2001) • Programs vary greatly from site to site; often include exercise • Programs at 80% of worksites; almost all large employers • Can help with health care costs

12. Worksite Health Promotion & Education(con’t.) • May need certifications – e.g., CHES, ACSM, ARC • Responsibilities • Many & varied • Conducting classes – e.g., fitness, nutrition • Conducting screenings & personal training sessions • Administrative functions: maintaining records & equipment, writing newsletters, health fairs • Marketing the programs

13. Health Education inHealth Care Settings • Variety of settings – e.g., hospitals, medical clinics, home health agencies, HMOs, PPOs • Types of jobs • Employee health & wellness • Patient education • HMOs most receptive • Optimistic about future employment opportunities

14. Health Education inHealth Care Settings(con’t.) • Numerous & varied activities • Responsibilities • Planning, implementing, & evaluating programs & activities • Education; 1-on-1, group • Administration: e.g., grant proposal writing, public relations, marketing • Coordination & collaboration of/for activities

15. Health Education in Colleges/Universities • Faculty position • Responsibilities: teaching, community & professional service, scholarly research • Typically need a doctoral degree & experience; maybe CHES or CHES-eligible • Health educator in university health service or wellness center • Plan, implement, & evaluate programs • Resource library, peer education programs • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; CHES helpful

16. International Opportunities • Much need, especially in developing countries • Special dedication; challenging; personal satisfaction • Cultural differences; may need a 2nd language; topics for programs may be very different • Peace Corps an excellent opportunity

17. Non-Traditional Health Education Positions • Sales related to health & fitness • Health insurance • Pharmaceutical • Fitness, health, & medical equipment • Justice/Mental Health • Publishing • Media: TV, newspapers • Tourism/Recreation

18. Landing That First Job • Start now • Can be frustrating • Gain experience – Part-time & summer employment; volunteering; well-planned practica & internships; service learning • Networking • Excellent academic record • Portfolio: paper, electronic

19. Landing That First Job(con’t.) • Certifications; CHES, ACSM, ARC, others • Get to know faculty • Get involved in your program • Placement centers • Professional associations & organizations – Eta Sigma Gamma, others

20. The Settings for Health Education Chapter 7 – The End