Health Education as a Profession

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Health Education as a Profession
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What is a profession?

• 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, p. 1145-1146)

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Characteristics of a Profession

• Extensive training required
• Accredited institutions
• Work is based on specialized body of knowledge
  and expertise
• Theoretical base

• Standards of practices
• Competencies
• Commitment to serving a social value
• Code of Ethics
• Professional autonomy

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What is Health Education?

• What do you think of when you hear Health
  Education?
• Any combination of planned learning experiences
  based on sound theories that provide individuals,
  groups, and communities the opportunity to
  acquire information and skills needed to make
  quality health decisions.
• Report of the 2000 Joint Committee on Health
  Education and Promotion Terminology, March/April
  2001, vol. 32, No. 2, American Journal of Health
  Education

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What is a Health Educator?

• A professionally prepared individual that serves
  in a variety of roles and is specifically trained
  to use appropriate educational strategies and
  methods to facilitate the development of
  policies, procedures, interventions, and systems
  conducive to the health of individuals, groups,
  and communities.
• Report of the 2000 Joint Committee on Health
  Education and Promotion Terminology, March/April
  2001, vol. 32, No. 2, American Journal of Health
  Education

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In Other Words

• Health Educators work to encourage healthy
  lifestyles and wellness through educating
  individuals and communities about behaviors that
  can prevent diseases, injuries, and other health
  problems.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010

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The 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 U.S. Dept of
  Health Human Services, 1989-1993

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What does a Health Educator do?

• Job Responsibilities
• Seven core competencies
• Work Settings
• Medical care settings
• Colleges and universities
• Schools
• Public health departments
• Nonprofit organizations
• Private businesses

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How are Health Educators trained?

• Baccalaureate programs
• Prepare graduates in all seven of the core
  competencies
• Internships are required
• Certification is available
• Although still voluntary

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What is the verdict?

• 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)

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The Good News

• 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!
• http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos063.htm