Foundations of Health Education

Key Concepts / Review What is “Health”? Gold Standard Definition: “A dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (WHO) “a dynamic state or condition of a human organism that is multidimensional in nature, a resource for living, and results from a person’s interactions with and adaptations to his or her environments” (McKenzie, Pinger & Kotecki, 2008, p. 6)

Where does all of this stem from? What does the current health care system focus on? Communicable diseases Noncommunicable diseases Most causes of death stem from modifiable behaviors. Multicausation Disease Model: Focuses on noncommunicable diseases: Genetics Behavior Environment Social Circumstances Access to Care

Current Status of Health Education/Promotion 21st Century – “Behavioral patterns are the single most prominent domain of influence over health prospects in the United States” (McGinnis et al., 2002, p. 82) Figure 1.3: Infectious and chronic disease death rates in the U.S, 1900-2000. (Pearson Ed, 2012)

OECD Health Data

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2011

Relationship Between Health Education & Health Promotion (Pearson Ed, 2012)

In Other Words …. Health Education is about prevention. http://www.kaiseredu.org/topics_im.asp?imID=1&parentID=61&id=358

Why is prevention important? “Many of the health problems the nation will deal with in the balance of this century and into the next are fully preventable.” (Minelli and Breckon, 2009, pg. 21) “Cessation of tobacco use, moderate use of alcohol, daily exercise, and good nutrition can prevent literally millions of deaths and negate the need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on health care.” (Minelli and beckon, 2009, pg 21)

Levels of Prevention Primary Secondary Tertiary Limits of prevention Biological Technological Ethical Concern Economic

Basic Underlying Concepts of the Profession Figure 1.6: Levels of Prevention (Pearson Ed, 2012)

Past Success Stories Decrease in heart disease Decrease in stroke mortalities Decrease in accidental injuries and motor vehicle deaths Decreased infant mortality (although still needs work) Decrease in cervical cancer Decrease in lung cancer …….

Good News There is a demand for health education now. Consumerism Inflation Increase in chronic diseases

Key Players Secretary of Health & Human Services ___________________ “Our Goal for all Americans to live healthier, more prosperous, and more productive lives.”

U.S. Surgeon General ______________________ “Public health is a beautiful mission. There is no nobility to it because ultimately it isn’t about one person or one family, it is a bigger thing.”