Health education is a career of educating the public about health related issues. It is the attempt to disseminate information on the risks and benefits of a healthy lifestyle through the application of scientific methods. Areas in this career encompass occupational health sciences, public health education, clinical health sciences, preventive health care, medical/obolescent, communicable diseases, and family planning/pregnancy. The work is generally performed by health education specialists, educators, or consultants. They are generally employed by governmental agencies such as state health departments and school districts. These professionals may also hold membership positions in professional organizations such as the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Rheumatology, the Association of Teachers of Sports Medicine, the National Institute for Occupational Medicine and the National Health Education Association.
The health education and promotion field also include a number of specific careers that are directly related to health education and promotion. These include the following: public health administrator, college and university administrators, college instructors, and government regulators. These individuals also serve as consultants and grant makers for community organizations and businesses. They may also work as trainers, teachers, coaches, project managers, and consultants. Individuals who hold federal government positions in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may also hold government grants to pursue other career opportunities in the field.
Health Education is not only an educational program; it is also an agent for change. It works at the grass root level and disseminates information to communities and the general public. This has resulted in remarkable changes at the community and national level. Changes in lifestyles and health conditions have occurred at both the local and national level. A few example changes at the community level include the reduction of teenage pregnancies, the decline in smoking prevalence, the lower rate of obesity, and decreases in the number and rate of cases of diabetes and AIDS. Community-based programs such as Healthy Kids Healthy Places and the National Youth Healthier Learning System have also contributed to this change.