Health Educator
Field of Study — Public Health & Nutrition
Health educators work with individuals, organizations and communities to bring about behavioral and environmental changes that foster good health. They apply theories and principles of behavioral and social sciences to design, organize, implement, communicate and evaluate the effects of education programs and strategies related to health behaviors of individuals, families, organizations and communities.
Health educators:
- assess the health needs of an individual or group by collecting and analyzing information about health status, social and cultural environments, needs and interests and available resources.
- provide individual health counseling and referrals.
- research, design and present health education programs to increase knowledge, modify attitudes and adopt healthy behaviors.
- develop educational curricula for a variety of settings and learners.
- facilitate discussion and decision making within groups.
- serve as a resource for health information and consultant for those requesting assistance in solving health-related problems.
Health educators may specialize according to a health concern, illness or work setting:
- Community public health educators focus on public health issues.
- School and college health educators teach health education courses.
- Patient and family health educators work primarily with other health care professionals in hospitals, clinics and health maintenance organizations (HMO).
- Work site health educators and wellness directors plan and manage on-the-job health promotion programs.
Health educators may work alone, with groups of clients, or with other health and human service professionals in health departments, community organizations, corporations, hospitals, schools and government agencies.
Educational Requirements
Students interested in becoming health educators should take the most challenging school courses available in English, science, speech and math. They should seek accredited undergraduate (bachelor’s degree) and graduate level programs in health education and public health. Certified health education specialists also must pass a written exam. Special licensing is required for health educators who become classroom teachers.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Averett University
Bridgewater College
George Mason University
James Madison University
Liberty University
Longwood University
Marymount University
Old Dominion University College of Health Sciences
Radford University
Professional Associations
- American Association for Health Education
1900 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1599
(703) 476-3437
1-800-213-7193
http://www.aahperd.org/aahe - American Public Health Association
800 I St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 777-2742 (APHA)
http://www.apha.org - Society for Public Health Education
750 First St., N.E.
Suite 910
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 408-9804
http://www.sophe.org - Virginia Public Health Association
P.O. Box 2914
Norfolk, VA 23501
http://www.vpha.org