Health education plays a significant role in improving the level of public health. Health education is a set of educational activities aimed at forming a healthy lifestyle, preventing diseases, preserving and strengthening health, increasing people’s ability to work, and prolonging their active lives (Allied Health World, n.d.).
With the help of health education, medical personnel achieve great success in working with patients since it becomes possible to prevent the development of various diseases. Moreover, it will help to exclude complications of current conditions and simplify the lives of patients who have already been diagnosed with a severe illness (Allied Health World, n.d.). Although some doctors and patients are skeptical about health education, its role is still significant in a healthier life.
As a significant element of the health system, health education consists of several components. The main features are making healthy decisions and taking control of the consequences for life, preventing factors that can damage health and vitality (WHO, n.d.). In addition, taking care of oneself and others, creating policies, services, and other aspects that will help people be healthy are also essential parts of health education. The importance of these components is dictated by the fact that every country requires a healthy population that will be able to improve their standard of living as well as the general welfare of the nation.
For me, knowledge of the basics and components of health education is essential as a future specialist in the field of public health. This is because educating patients will improve their health and well-being, prolong their lives, and help prevent complications of current diseases. To motivate people to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we, as professionals, must possess several qualities, for example, communication skills, general mental development, and critical thinking (Hodges & Videto, 2011). Finding an approach to each patient is necessary to motivate them to maintain and care for their health.
In conclusion, health education is an essential section of public health prevention aimed at educating patients and improving their well-being and health. Health education consists of several components and obliges doctors and medical personnel to possess many qualities necessary for the successful motivation of the population. For me, as a future specialist, it is imperative to learn how to motivate patients and train them to allow them to lead healthy lifestyles.
References
Allied health world. (n.d.). Health educator career and education overview. Web.
Hodges, B.C., & Videto, D. M. (2011). Assessment and planning in health programs. Johns & Bartlett Learning.
World health organization. (n.d.). Health promoting schools. Web.