History of Health Education

Early History: Trial and Error (lay-referral network) Medical lore passed down from generation to generation Throughout history people have always turned to some type of medicine man or physician for counsel

Ancient Cultures: Good hygiene practices Paved streets, drains, sewer systems Code of Hammurabi Before science enabled us to determine pathogenic causes of disease, spiritual explanations and leadership prevailed

Greeks: Balance of physical, mental, and spiritual Hippocrates and the“atomic theory” (p.43) Recorded observations between disease and geography, living conditions, climate, and diet See page 42 in text for atomic theory!!

Romans: Conquered the Greeks, but retained their medical knowledge Exceptional builders of water and sewage systems Attention to where they located towns and drainage Advanced study of human anatomy and surgery

Middle Ages: In order for people to be protected, they built fortresses around their property and animals Overcrowding and sanitation Little emphasis on cleanliness in early Christianity Disease was caused by sin or disobeying God Time of great epidemics – bubonic plague Read from text on page 46 about the bubonic plague

Renaissance: Beginning of change Disease and plague still rampant Bloodletting popular “water casting” Barbers performed surgery and dentistry Hygiene of royalty

Renaissance cont. Printing press invented so classical writing could be reproduced OK to study the human body and anatomy advanced Leeuwenhoek discovered the microscope John Graunt made advancement in epi “health boards” began to be developed in communities

Age of Enlightenment: Disease and plagues still raged Miasmas theory of disease took hold Mind and body were dependent on one another Edward Jenner discovered vaccine procedure for smallpox

1800’s (Bacterial period of public Health) First half of the century diseases continued to rage 1842 Edwin Chadwick’s report 1849 John Snow and the Broad Street pump Louis Pasteur – Germ theory of disease Joseph Lister – antiseptic method

Health Education & Promotion in the United States Early colonial schools 1647 – “Old Deluder” law By mid 1800’s schools were tax supported and attendance was required 1850 –first mandate to teach physiology and hygiene in all public schools 1850 - Shattuck Report

1873 – APHA started 1874-1890 Women’s Crusade, later called the Women’s Christian Temperance Union 1890’s - medical inspections began 1901- Thomas Wood

1914 - Demonstration projects began 1914 – WWI, 1st large scale measure of health status of Americans 1920’s-1930’s many studies designed to clarify the role of health education Great Depression, 1929-1941 WWII, 1939-1945

1950 – Health Education was emerging as integral part of elementary, secondary, & college curriculum

1970’s:The Era of Prevention 1971 – Coalition of National Health Organizations formed 1974 – LaLonde Report ** Health Field Concept ** 1974 – CDC was established 1979 – Healthy People: The Surgeon General’s Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention was published

1980’s Promoting Health & Preventing Disease: Objectives for the Nation Initial Role Delineation study for Health Education Examination of professional preparation programs and professional competencies First Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) recognized

1990’s National Health Education Standards published Responsibilities/competencies for entry-level Health Educators published SOC designation for Health Educators Competencies Update Project (CUP)

2000’s Unified Code of Ethics Report of Joint Committee on Health Education & Promotion Terminology Promotion of CHES Revised national HE competencies (3 levels) based on CUP Outcome-Based Education & Practice

Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act Signed into law March 2010 Expands health care coverage Should help health education specialists Focus on prevention & preventive services Encourages & promotes worksite wellness Evidence-based community prevention & wellness programs Moves prevention toward the mainstream Some components of the law are already in place Major components required in 2014; not be fully implemented until 2019