Health education is the profession of educating individuals about health related issues. Specializations within this field include social and environmental health sciences, public health, medical health, biomedical engineering, occupational therapy, psychobiology, nutritional science, and health services management. Many universities and colleges offer programs in health education to further their knowledge about this ever-changing field. People who choose to educate themselves in this field can expect to learn about the causes of diseases, the prevention of diseases, and how to cure and rehabilitate those who are ill.
The promotion of healthy lifestyles is an important part of promoting health education and awareness. In order for health education and promotion to be effective, public health experts must research, create and implement educational campaigns to reach their desired goals. These experts may conduct seminars and lectures in schools, provide literature to the community, issue reports and participate in community discussions. Health education and promotion work together to ensure that the population is aware of the risks and effects of diseases, creating awareness of preventative measures, promoting healthy lifestyles, sharing information on family planning and pregnancy, and informing the public about medical care and treatment. Educators, writers, and researchers in the health education and promotion field combine their knowledge, expertise, and research to promote the awareness of those in society who have a special interest in the health of all individuals.
Individuals who chose careers in health education and promotion often use a combination of technical and communication strategies to promote their professions. Communication strategies include creating newsletters, writing articles for publication, and presenting information about their careers to others interested in the field. They may also conduct informal surveys and focus groups to gather more information about the opinions of those in their community. These professionals also coordinate efforts with other professionals to make health education and promotion more effective. They may work closely with public health professionals, health educators, and community leaders to create educational campaigns and conduct public meetings to improve the way the public views health and the importance of education and promotion.