Future Trends in Health Education. C. H. Pete LeRoy

Transcription

1 Future Trends in Health Education C. H. Pete LeRoy

2 Objectives 1. Identify 2-settings in which H. Educators will practice to a greater degree then they do today 2. Describe 4-societal changes that will influence the practice of H. Education in the 21 st century 3. Explain how demographic changes will impact H Education delivery into the future 4. Delineate the major implications of credentialing for future H. Educators 5. Compare and contrast the roles of H. Educators in the 4-practice settings 6. Identify several reasons that H. Educators should be optimistic about future employment opportunities 7. Describe the need for H. Educators in 2-alternative settings.

3 Trends 1. More people unhappy with orthodox medicine and turning to alternative medicine 2. Greater access to reliable information form various sources, especially the internet 3. Greater awareness of the importance of good nutrition and exercise.. 4. Changing demographics resulting in a proportionally older population and a greater percentage of minority (ethnic) groups with unique health challenges THESE TRENDS PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNTIES FOR HEALTH EDUCATORS.

4 YEAR RACE African American 13.0% 13.5% 14.0% 14.4% Hispanic 11.7% 13.8% 16.3% 19.9% Native American Asian/ Pacific Islander 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 4.0% 4.8% 5.7% 6.6% In 2000, approximately 35% of the children in U.S. public schools were minorities

5 Aging The 1998 census shows that 12.8% of the U.S. population is age 65 and older Between 2010 and 2030 the over 65 population is expected to grow by almost 75%...those under 65 will increase by 6.5%. The median age in 1990 was 36; in 2010 it will be 37; in 2020 it will be 37.6; and in 2030 it will be Older people are living longer, married couples having fewer children.

6 Societal Trends Changes in social mores and practices, e.g., cohabitation, greater tolerance of pre-marital sex, greater acceptance of gay relationships, more single-parent households, more child abuse, more violence, more pornography, declining public school support in favor of private schooling, decrease in respect for authority, greater reliance on technology, etc.

7 Political Climate Conservative: General distrust of government regulations against tax-supported programs addressing social and economic problems, against BIG government.. Moderate: Some tax-supported programs to solve societal problems.. Liberal: Major government in solving societal problems. QUESTION: Is there one political view point that works best for societal health problems? What about national health insurance?

8 Are Public Policy Programs an Infringement on Personal Liberties? Should tobacco be outlawed? What about harmful foods? Should we be required to wear seat belts? Should auto makers be required to install airbags in all vehicles they manufacture? Should recreational drugs be legalized? Should states have the right to legalize certain things even though they are not legal at the federal government level?

9 The Medical Establishment Greater public emphasis on preventive practices Greater questioning of medical advice Awareness that most deaths today are caused by conditions self-inflicted and not amenable to orthodox medicine

10 Implications The societal changes we have looked at are the driving force behind challenging the health educator to accommodate the new demands and become more proactive (emphasis on prevention and lifestyle changes).

11 Mission: Professional Preparation 1. The mission will be less provision of factual information and more toward helping people become more analytical in their thinking become better consumers of available options. 2. There will be newer, stronger partnerships with the medical establishment. This collaboration will give new respect to health education in their role of disease management. 3. Educators will need to analyze situations contributing to quality of life issues, both longterm and short-term.

12 Mission: Professional Preparation 4. A greater emphasis will be given to values clarification. Health Educators must learn to account for the effects of culture and then find processes that reach people with different values. 5. Multi-Interventions will need to be the norm in the delivery of health education strategies for change. 6. A greater emphasis on quality research will be required to deliver effective programs. 7. Health Educators will be required to use technology to assist their students/clients to learn.

13 Mission: Professional Preparation 8. The need to integrate health education at various levels will become necessary, e.g., school health and community health (requiring an agreement on priorities). 9. Environmental activism will continue to grow. 10. Improved Quality of Life will become the gold standard by which all health education programs will be judged.

14 What does it take to be a school health educator? 1. Read and interpret health education research 2. Develop age-appropriate units that are logical in sequence 3. Develop participatory lesson plans that emphasize skill development and problem solving 4. Use both quantitative and qualitative evaluations 5. Assess health needs of students, faculty, and staff

15 School Health Educator 6. Assure that counseling services are available 7. Coordinate a parent/community health education advisory panel 8. Participate in local, state, regional, and national professional organizations 9. Use technology to assist in your teaching Become aware of the importance of culture.

16 School Health Educator 11. Assist teachers at all grade levels in obtaining age-appropriate health education materials Serve as a resource person and liaison 13. Become an effective communicator written and oral 14. Work independently and as a team member 15. Learn behavior-change strategies and the importance of environmental influences.

17 Other Settings 1. Worksite Health Promotion 2. Community/Public Health Setting 3. Health Care Setting 4. Alternative Settings: postsecondary education (Community Colleges), Radio and TV, Peace Corps, Medical Supply Companies, Textbook Publishers, Pharmaceutical Companies, Fitness Facilities, Retirement Communities, etc.

18 Questions that you might have???