Defining Health Education
Health Education Defined
Health education implies, instructing the public on how to live within cultural and social norms utilizing the healthcare provisions (i.e., programs, processes, and procedures) provided by governing bodies, communities, and the society in which we live (Society for Public Health Education, 2018). Assuming there is a healthcare problem to be solved, can health instruction alone suffice? Or, will there need to be health promotion, as well? Therefore, health education will be defined as an extension of health promotion considering most health-related issues cannot be solved by education, or instruction alone (Cottrell, Girvan, Seabert, Spear, & McKenzie, 2018).
Health Issue & Population (Example):
In the United States, diabetes (the seventh leading cause of death) cost $245 billion in direct and indirect medical expenses, and effects over 114 million people (about 46% of the adult US population), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018), in 2015. Socioeconomic conditions and predisposition are the primary factors attributing to the prevalence and high incidence rates for this debilitating and life-threatening disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018b). Obesity, hypertension, and the lack of physical activity all complicate and exasperates coexisting conditions, like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and gangrene (which leads to low-extremity amputations, or death if not treated).
EXAMPLE:
Healthy People 2020
Health Education Plan
These findings are just cause for healthcare advocates to rally for the prevention, containment, and managed care of those disproportionately afflicted (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Data indicates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018a) that Native American and non-Hispanic Black American adults, 45-65 years of age, represents the target population experiencing the most inequality contributing to disparities exemplified by those with prediabetes (type 2 diabetics) within their respective population. Individuals in these populations are often disadvantaged and uneducated concerning health-related issues, access to care, and healthcare management when compared to the non-Hispanic Whites, or wealthier populations in the US. Evidence-based solutions include providing those in the targeted population with (1) healthier foods (2) recreational facilities (3) transportation (4) commerce and (5) education (American Diabetic Association, 2014).
Health Education Plan
(Example):
The prediabetic preventive program would have to educate the population about issues surrounding diabetes (specifically prediabetes) and how those issues directly impact the quality of their life (even more than it is already being stressed) with the means and proof to improve it—and the hope to do better and live better lives (Laureate Education, 2012). Information should address ways of accessing, identify, quantify, storing, and affording healthier foods through government funding for purchases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018c), home delivery services, and transportation (Laureate Education, 2012). Education will inform individuals on ways to increase physical activities (like walking and pacing in the apartment/house) without have recreational facilities and high-end equipment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018a). Finally, individuals would be instructed on how to introduce themselves to different community groups and volunteer organizations to network, develop, and learn new skills that may lead to employment opportunities and commerce for them and the community.
So, to summarize:
This preventive plan provides secondary prevention (Mirghani, Jung, & Fakhry, 2017). In that, the program targets prediabetics within disadvantaged populations (like Native Americans and non-Hispanic Black Americans). These individuals diagnosed with prediabetes are educated and provided the means to keep from developing diabetic symptoms and reverse the condition to where the signs of prediabetes are no longer exhibited. Thereby, reducing the fatality, incidence, and prevalence (Mirghani, Jung, & Fakhry, 2017) of type 2 diabetes, as well as, medical expenditure and chronic care management.
References:
American Diabetic Association. (2014). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2014. Diabetes Care, 37(Supplement 1), S14–S80. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-S014
Cottrell, R. R., Girvan, J. T., Seabert, D., Spear, C., & McKenzie, J. F. (2018). Principles and foundations of health promotion and education (7th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.
Laureate Education. (Producer). (2012). Belize: Health overview [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Mirghani, H., Jung, A. C., & Fakhry, C. (2017). Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of human papillomavirus-driven head and neck cancers. European Journal of Cancer, 78, 105-115. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2017.03.021
Society for Public Health Education. (2018). What is a Health Education Specialist? Retrieved from https://www.sophe.org/careers/health-education-profession/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). CDC - BRFSS Prevalence Data & Data Analysis Tools. Retrieved August 30, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/data_tools.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018a, January 3). Vulnerable Populations | Programs & Initiatives | Diabetes | CDC. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://wwwdev.cdc.gov/diabetes/programs/vulnerable.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018b, March 12). Prevalence of Prediabetes | Data & Statistics | Diabetes | CDC. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/prevalence.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018c, August 6). CDC’s Funded State & Local Programs to Address Diabetes | Diabetes State & Local Programs | Programs & Initiatives| Diabetes | CDC. Retrieved August 29, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/programs/stateandlocal/cdcfunded.html#1422