Health Education:

AN OVERVIEW

By: Jorge Kong Ranile III

Without continual growth and progress, such

words as improvement, achievement, and
success have no meaning

-Benjamin Franklin

Learning Objectives
At the end of this discussion, the student
will be able to:
Define education, health, and education;
Explain the objectives and processes of
health education;
Differentiate the three types of health
education;

Explain the importance and the various

dimensions of health education;
Discuss the change process and the various
factors that affect change;
Discuss the various strategies in the
management of change;
Explain the impact of change on the Filipino
Health Value System

Introduction
For a long time, health care and teaching
were pursued by religious orders. As the
health care and welfare norm, the sisters
and priests delivered the health bulletins to
the citizenry. However, prior to the coming
of the religious orders to the Philippines,
albularyos or local doctors already have
been tending to the health needs of the
community.

Good Teaching is more than merely

intellectual challenge. It is a very thorough
discipline, which demands, among others,
adaptability, inventiveness and creativity.
The teacher should be able to adapt to both
different situations and types of students.

Although flexibility is important, todays

teacher of nursing have an established
system of eclectic principles and beliefs to
guide her. It is important to maintain ones
own character and value system for her and
her students character, by improving their
clinical skills and helping them recognize
the value of the role o nurses in society.

Health Education
Refers to the act of providing information
and learning experiences for purposes of
behavior change for health betterment of
the client.
Is the totality of experiences which
favorably influence habits, attitudes and
knowledge relating to individual,
community, and racial health (Health
Education: 2006)

According to the Joint Committee of Health

Education (2006), Health education is a
process with intellectual, psychological, and
social dimensions relating to activities that
increase the abilities of people to make
informed decisions affecting their personal,
family, and community wellbeing. The
process, based on scientific principles,
facilitates learning and behavioral change in
both health personnel and consumers,
including children and youth

The Process of Health Education

Health education Consists of Learning
experiences that promotes behavior
conducive to good health. It provides the
tools for developing physical, emotional,
spiritual, and sound mental health.

The process of health education has certain key

aspects:
1.

2.
3.

It is a planned opportunity of leaning

through information about health guided
by specific goals, objectives, activities and
evaluation criteria.
It occurs in a specific setting.
It is a program of series or events that
introduces concepts at appropriate
learning levels.

4. It is based on what was previously learned

in order to determine what is to be learned
ion the future.
5. It comprehensively emphasizes how the
various aspects of health interrelate and
how health affects the quality of life.
6. It includes interaction between the
educator and learner.

Health educators plan and conduct health

teachings for the following purposes which is
to:

Be aware of the values of health;

Develop the skills in the promotion and
maintenance of health;
Acquire and apply concepts and information
received;
Develop and discuss opinions regarding
health; and
Formulate accurate and effective decisionmaking.

Purposes of Health
Education
1.

2.

3.
4.

A means of propagating Health Promotion

and Disease Prevention.
May be used to modify or continue health
behaviors if necessary
Provides Health Information and Services
Emphasizes on Good Health Habits and
Practices which is an Integral Aspect of
Culture, Media and Technology

5. A means to communicate Vital Information

to the Public
6. It is also a form of Advocacy

Types of Health Education

1. Information about human biology and
hygiene.
2. Health Services
3. A friendly Environment in which health
choices are made.

Dimensions of the Health

Education Process
1.

Substantive or Circular Dimension

Refers to subject matter specific to nursing
education and is best embodied by the
phrase with What is taught and What is
learned.

2. Procedural or Methodological Dimension

Consists of strategies or methods of
teaching which motivates student to learn.
3. Environmental or Social Dimension
- Refers to physical and social factors in the
teaching-learning situation.

4. Human Relations Dimension

- Takes into account the relationships of the
nurse with individuals involved in nursing
care practice which influence the
effectiveness of the teaching and learning
process.

Aspects of Health
Education
1. Behavioral Sciences

Incorporate psychology, sociology, and

cultural anthropology, are concerned with
how people behave and why they behave
in a particular way (Fieldman: 2006)

2. Public Health
3. Education
- Refers to the study and practice of teaching
and learning which plays a vital role in the
development of health education.

Importance of Health
Education
Enhance knowledge awareness
Promotes health, safety and security of the
people
Develop and improve community resources
Increase productivity and strength of
character
Disease prevention
Minimize Cost

Reference:

Tan, Crestita B. The Nurse as The Health

Educator Concepts, Principles and
Strategies in Teaching