1. Foundations of Health Education

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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,
(Pearson Ed, 2012)

5. OECD Health Data

6. Source: CIA World Factbook, 2011

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

8. In Other Words …. Health Education is about prevention.

9. 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)

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

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

12. 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 …….

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

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

15. U.S. Surgeon General
______________________
“Americans will be more likely to change their behavior if they have a meaningful reward – something more than just reaching a certain weight or dress size. The real reward is invigorating, energizing, joyous health. It is a level of health that allows people to embrace each day and live their lives to the fullest without disease or disability.”