The terms Public Health Educator, Community Health
Educator or Health Educator are all used interchangeable to describe an
individual who plans implements and evaluates health education and promotion
programs. These individuals play a crucial role in many organizations in
various settings to improve our nation’s health. Just as a Community health
educator works work toward
Educator or Health Educator are all used interchangeable to describe an
individual who plans implements and evaluates health education and promotion
programs. These individuals play a crucial role in many organizations in
various settings to improve our nation’s health. Just as a Community health
educator works work toward
population health, a school Health educator
generally teaches in our Schools. A community health educator is typically
focused on their immediate community striving to serve the public. Some of the
specific sectors where career opportunities exist for a professional in health education
are;
1. Health
Care Settings: these include hospitals (for-profit and public),
medical care clinics, home health agencies, Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs)
and Preferred Provider Organization (PPOs). Here, a health educator teaches
employees how to be healthy. Patient education positions are far and few
between because insurance companies do not cover the costs.
Care Settings: these include hospitals (for-profit and public),
medical care clinics, home health agencies, Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs)
and Preferred Provider Organization (PPOs). Here, a health educator teaches
employees how to be healthy. Patient education positions are far and few
between because insurance companies do not cover the costs.
2. Public
Health Agencies: are official, tax funded, government agencies.
They provide police protection, educational systems, as well as clean air and
water. Public health departments provide health services and are organized by a
city, county, state, or federal government.
Health Agencies: are official, tax funded, government agencies.
They provide police protection, educational systems, as well as clean air and
water. Public health departments provide health services and are organized by a
city, county, state, or federal government.
3. School
Health Education: involves all strategies, activities, and services
offered by, in, or in association with schools that are designed to promote
students’ physical, emotional, and social development. School health involves
teaching students about health and health related behaviors. Curriculum and
programs are based on the school’s expectations and health.
Health Education: involves all strategies, activities, and services
offered by, in, or in association with schools that are designed to promote
students’ physical, emotional, and social development. School health involves
teaching students about health and health related behaviors. Curriculum and
programs are based on the school’s expectations and health.
4. Non
Profit Voluntary Health Agencies: are created by concerned citizens to deal with
health needs not met by governmental agencies. Missions include public
education, professional education, patient education, research, direct services
and support to or for people directly affected by a specific health or medical
problem. Usually funded by such means as private donations, grants, and
fund-raisers.
Profit Voluntary Health Agencies: are created by concerned citizens to deal with
health needs not met by governmental agencies. Missions include public
education, professional education, patient education, research, direct services
and support to or for people directly affected by a specific health or medical
problem. Usually funded by such means as private donations, grants, and
fund-raisers.
5. Higher
Education: typically two types of positions health educators
hold including academic, or faculty or health educator in a student health
service or wellness center. As a faculty member, the health educator typically
has three major responsibilities: teaching, community and professional service,
and scholarly research. As a health educator in a university health service or
wellness center, the major responsibility is to plan, implement, and evaluate
health promotion and education programs for program participants.
Education: typically two types of positions health educators
hold including academic, or faculty or health educator in a student health
service or wellness center. As a faculty member, the health educator typically
has three major responsibilities: teaching, community and professional service,
and scholarly research. As a health educator in a university health service or
wellness center, the major responsibility is to plan, implement, and evaluate
health promotion and education programs for program participants.
6. Work
site Health Promotion: is a combination of educational, organizational
and environmental activities designed to improve the health and safety of
employees and their families. These work site wellness programs offer an
additional setting for health educators and allow them to reach segments of the
population that are not easily reached through traditional community health
programs. Some work site health promotion activities include: smoking cessation,
stress management, bulletin boards, newsletters, and much more.
site Health Promotion: is a combination of educational, organizational
and environmental activities designed to improve the health and safety of
employees and their families. These work site wellness programs offer an
additional setting for health educators and allow them to reach segments of the
population that are not easily reached through traditional community health
programs. Some work site health promotion activities include: smoking cessation,
stress management, bulletin boards, newsletters, and much more.
7. Independent
Consulting and Government Contracting: international, national, regional, sate, and
local organizations contract with independent consultants for many reasons.
They may be hired to assess individual and community needs for health
education; plan, implement, administer and evaluate health education
strategies; conduct research; serve as health education resource person; and or
communicate about and advocate for health and health education. Government
contractors are often behind national health education programs, government
reports, public information web sites and telephone lines, media campaigns,
conferences, and health education materials.
Consulting and Government Contracting: international, national, regional, sate, and
local organizations contract with independent consultants for many reasons.
They may be hired to assess individual and community needs for health
education; plan, implement, administer and evaluate health education
strategies; conduct research; serve as health education resource person; and or
communicate about and advocate for health and health education. Government
contractors are often behind national health education programs, government
reports, public information web sites and telephone lines, media campaigns,
conferences, and health education materials.
