Historical Background of Health Education
We have been able to establish the relationship among various health-related concepts like health promotion, health education, health services among others.
This article will makes you know a brief history of Health Education. Health Education (HE) exists for one reason: to support the delivery of excellent healthcare and health improvement to individuals and communities.
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Historical Perspective Health Education
The first examples of health education or roots of health education began with the ancient Greeks. They realized tools like sanitary practices and medication were related to health outcomes and they created public policies and education to encourage healthy lifestyle.
The concept of educating about health has been everywhere since the beginning of humans. The history of health education dates back to the 19th century.
By the 1940s, the field began evolving as a distinct discipline.
Over time, health education’s theory and practice base have widened from focusing on one-to-one and mass media behavioral interventions to incorporate responsibility for policies, systems, and environments that affect population health.
At the time of Alma Ata Declaration of Primary Health Care (PHC) in 1978, health education was put as one of the components of PHC and it was recognized as a major tool to the attainment of health for all.
Since then, many countries in Africa utilize health education as a primary means of prevention of diseases and promotion of health.
In the United States which represents the western, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that health education in the United States dates back to the 1798, when a federal network of hospitals was established to assist ill seamen.
In the early 21st century, the terms health education and health promotion (i.e., health promotion include an ecological approach) are often used interchangeably in the United States, while at international scale health promotion is used as an overarching concept that includes health education.
Health education is a mature profession which has developed a distinct body of knowledge, defined competencies, and a certification system for individuals, a code of ethics, a federal occupational classification, and recognized accreditation processes in higher education.
Health education is generally aligned with the behavioral and social sciences as one of the core dimensions of public health study and practice.
In-Text Question(s)
Since when did Africa utilize health education as a primary means of prevention of diseases and promotion of health?
Answer
At the time of Alma Ata Declaration of Primary Health Care (PHC) in 1978, health education was put as one of the components of PHC and it was recognized as a major tool to the attainment of health for all.
Additionally, the field draws from theories and models from education, health studies, communications, and other various areas. The unique combination of these knowledge areas forms the basis for health education competencies.
Health educators employ a core set of competencies, irrespective of the various practice settings in which they work (i.e., schools, universities, health departments, community-based organizations, health-care settings, worksites, and international organizations).
The discipline is organized around major areas of health education practice, such as assessing, planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating health education or health promotion programmes, services, and interventions. It includes historical and philosophical foundations, and development of its professionalism and ethics.
The discipline holds both qualitative and quantitative methods, community-based participatory research, health communication and social marketing principles, as well as policy and media advocacy to accomplish programmes objectives.
Health educators are stalwarts in the fight for social justice and believe that the health of a population should be the main concern in any society.
Thus, health education is a major component of programme services.
Conclusion on Historical Background of Health Education
Health education has existed for about two centuries; it however became a distinct discipline almost 70 years ago. It is a major component of programme services.
Health educators are stalwarts in the fight for social justice and believe that the health of a population should be a priority in any society. This is why the discipline embraces both qualitative and quantitative methods, community-based participatory research, health communication and social marketing principles, and policy and media advocacy to accomplish programmes objectives.
Health education as a discipline embraces both qualitative and quantitative methods.
In the early 21st century, the terms health education and health promotion are often used interchangeably.
Internationally, health promotion is used as an overarching concept that includes health education.
Many countries in Africa utilize health education as a primary means of prevention of diseases and promotion of health.
