Future Trends in Health Education/Promotion Chapter 10

Chapter Objectives - 1 Identify a setting in which health education specialists will practice in the next 5 years to a greater degree than they do today Describe four major societal changes that will influence the practice of health education/promotion in the next 10 years. Explain at least one major implication of credentialing for future health education specialists Compare and contrast the roles of health education specialists in the four practice settings

Chapter Objectives - 2 Identify several reasons that health education specialists should be optimistic about future employment opportunities Evaluate the role of the health education specialist in addressing the increasing costs of health care

Introduction Changes in health information, health care costs, passage of the Affordable Care Act, and a more interconnected world will create new opportunities for health education specialists Changes present the health education specialist with enormous opportunities

Demographic Changes - 1 *U.S. Census Bureau (2010) Demographic profile – breakdown by age group, sex, race, & ethnicity shows much change from just 10 years ago Change – U.S. population will become more diverse Race* 2010 2030 2050 African American 12.3% 13.9% 14.6% Hispanic 15.1% 20.1% 24.4% Native American 0.90% 0.80% 0.70% Asian/Pacific Islander 05.8% 06.7% 08.8% *U.S. Census Bureau (2010)

Demographic Changes - 2 Greatest change will occur in the Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander groups One place where the more diverse populace is being seen is in the public schools Pattern of demographic changes presents health education specialists with an ever widening array of challenges and opportunities

Demographic Changes - 3 Change – U.S. population will become older By 2050, the population over 65 is expected to grow to equal 22% of the total population, an increase from 13% in 2014 Reasons Americans living longer Couples having fewer children Baby boomers (1946–1964) are nearing retirement age Need for health related programs for older Americans

Societal Trends - 1 Much change in social mores & practices since 1960, e.g., rights of various groups, family structure, ethical concerns, reliance on technology Technology – improved quality of life; will impact us more than ever; health education specialist will need skills (e.g., new delivery methods, tailored communication, GIS tracking) Family structure will continue to change – traditional family is less common; postmodern family has many variations; health education specialists will need to operate on new set of norms to reach individuals, families, & communities

Societal Trends - 2 Political climate – frustration with politics & politicians; various views—conservative, moderate, liberal; health & politics linked; more macrolevel practice; advocacy will become more important for health education specialists; health education specialists will need to get involved in the political process Medical care establishment & the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – even with the ACA health care system still needs change; consumers need to be involved in decision making; impact of lifestyle on health is evident; ACA promotes wellness; many uninsured; increase in managed care; costs continue to rise; health education specialists can help

Professional Preparation* - 1 The mission will be less providing factual information and more helping people become more analytical thinkers… There will be…stronger partnerships with the medical establishment … Health education specialists will need…long-term, not short-term thinking… A greater emphasis will be placed on values clarification… …Education at the community level will be the focus of most health interventions… There will be an enhanced need for quality research… Health education specialists must…use technology to help others learn. …The gap between school and community services will close. Environmental activism will continue to emerge… …people will judge the success of health education/promotion by whether or not their quality of life has improved * Clark (1994)

Professional Preparation – 2 Additional documents that can assist with developing the curriculum for the preparation of health education specialists are available. Deliberations by members of the Committee on Educating Public Health Professionals for the 21st Century Results of the study titles “2015 Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis (HESPA)” Not advisable to prepare “generic” health education specialists Collaborative relationships, innovativeness, curiousness, adventure, and truth seeking are some of the critical skills those leading the health education/promotion profession into the next several decades will possess

Credentialing Credentialing provides a means to assess whether or not a person has met entry-level competencies as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Places emphasis on the acquisition of skills Disagreement about credentialing process exists because it tends to favor creating a generic health education specialist Perhaps the future will bring a “practice-specific” credential to combat this controversy CHES Credential may allow for reimbursement for health education services provided in a medical care setting Certification process establishes a national standard for individual health education practitioners Credential assists employers in identifying practitioners who have met national standards, and serves as assurance to consumers that the health education specialist is competent

Implications for Practice Settings - 1 School Setting Use of a comprehensive approach to school health will best assure that the health needs of all children are met Essential skills read & interpret research findings; create scope & sequence; prepare & deliver lessons; evaluate lesson; assess health needs; assure health & counseling services are provided; participate in organizations; use technology; understand impact of culture on health; serve as resource person; communication skills; collaborate; work independently; assist with behavior change; work to increase health literacy

Implications for Practice Settings - 2 Worksite Setting Worksites have introduced an array of programs for employees and their families—many have incorporated health education/promotion programs Expansion of work-site health promotion programs are creating increasing numbers of opportunities for health education specialists Essential skills Recognize importance of culture; conduct needs assessments; understand corporate culture & management philosophy; prepare & conduct prevention, fitness & screening programs; use technology; coordinate coalitions & committees; plan & manage a budget; serve as resource person; communication skills; work independently & as part of a team; assist with behavior change; employ evaluation strategies; working knowledge of epidemiology & statistics; understand literature & research; increase health literacy

Implications for Practice Settings - 3 Public (Community) Health Setting Community setting has greatest variety of options for the practice of health education While there are a variety of different community health options, community health education specialists are consistently involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating population level interventions Essential skills recognize impact of cultural & demographic influences on health; seek information; assess communities; coalition building; participate in organizations; marketing techniques; flexibility; learn another language; advocate; work in a multidisciplinary environment; work independently & as part of a team; evaluation strategies that are outcomes-based; working knowledge of epidemiology & statistics; understand literature & research; increase health literacy

Implications for Practice Settings - 4 Clinical or Healthcare Setting Increasing receptivity to the fact that health education specialists can make a positive difference in the prevention and management of disease Preventive services by medical providers are severely lacking mainly due to the time needed to provide such services Patient education in the health care setting has moved from an innovation to a required service Employment outlook is positive Essential skills working knowledge of epidemiology & statistics; use technology; assist with behavior change; understand impact of culture on health; aware of technological innovations to reach patients; provide training in health education to health care team; familiar with clinical disease processes; advocate for universal health care; prepare & deliver lessons; flexibility; coordinate interdisciplinary teams; serve as a liaison; learn other language; communication skills; work independently; understand informatics; increase health literacy

Implications for Practice Settings - 5 Alternative settings Teaching in postsecondary institutions, which requires a graduate degree in health education Combining health education and journalism allows a person to report or write on health issues and trends Many opportunities exist for practicing health education/promotion in a foreign country; however, a degree and knowledge of a foreign language is often needed Sales positions with health textbook companies, pharmaceutical companies, and medical supply companies are available Increasing need for health education specialists in long-term care facilities working with the aging population Increasing number of opportunities for health education specialists in entrepreneurial or consultant roles

Summary Change is a constant Flexibility is imperative in order to adapt to ongoing change The future looks bright for health education specialist; many opportunities will expand in traditional & nontraditional settings Health education specialists have the training & expertise to make a positive difference in enhancing the quality of life for all people

Future Trends in Health Education/Promotion Chapter 10: The End