Future Trends in Health Education/Promotion
Chapter 10
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1
Chapter Objectives – 1
Identify a setting in which health education specialists will practice in the next 5 years to a greater degree than they do today
Describe four major societal changes that will influence the practice of health education/promotion in the next 10 years.
Explain at least one major implication of credentialing for future health education specialists
Compare and contrast the roles of health education specialists in the four practice settings
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2
Chapter Objectives – 2
Identify several reasons that health education specialists should be optimistic about future employment opportunities
Evaluate the role of the health education specialist in addressing the increasing costs of health care
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Introduction
Changes in health information, health care costs, passage of the Affordable Care Act, and a more interconnected world will create new opportunities for health education specialists
Changes present the health education specialist with enormous opportunities
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Demographic Changes – 1
Demographic profile – breakdown by age group, sex, race, & ethnicity shows much change from just 10 years ago
Change – U.S. population will become more diverse
Race* 2010 2030 2050
African American 12.3% 13.9% 14.6%
Hispanic 15.1% 20.1% 24.4%
Native American 0.90% 0.80% 0.70%
Asian/Pacific Islander 05.8% 06.7% 08.8%
*U.S. Census Bureau (2010)
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Demographic Changes – 2
Greatest change will occur in the Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander groups
One place where the more diverse populace is being seen is in the public schools
Pattern of demographic changes presents health education specialists with an ever widening array of challenges and opportunities
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Demographic Changes – 3
Change – U.S. population will become older
By 2050, the population over 65 is expected to grow to equal 22% of the total population, an increase from 13% in 2014
Reasons
Americans living longer
Couples having fewer children
Baby boomers (1946–1964) are nearing retirement age
Need for health related programs for older Americans
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Societal Trends – 1
Much change in social mores & practices since 1960, e.g., rights of various groups, family structure, ethical concerns, reliance on technology
Technology – improved quality of life; will impact us more than ever; health education specialist will need skills (e.g., new delivery methods, tailored communication, GIS tracking)
Family structure will continue to change – traditional family is less common; postmodern family has many variations; health education specialists will need to operate on new set of norms to reach individuals, families, & communities
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Societal Trends – 2
Political climate – frustration with politics & politicians; various views—conservative, moderate, liberal; health & politics linked; more macrolevel practice; advocacy will become more important for health education specialists; health education specialists will need to get involved in the political process
Medical care establishment & the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – even with the ACA health care system still needs change; consumers need to be involved in decision making; impact of lifestyle on health is evident; ACA promotes wellness; many uninsured; increase in managed care; costs continue to rise; health education specialists can help
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Professional Preparation* – 1
The mission will be less providing factual information and more helping people become more analytical thinkers…
There will be…stronger partnerships with the medical establishment …
Health education specialists will need…long-term, not short-term thinking…
A greater emphasis will be placed on values clarification…
…Education at the community level will be the focus of most health interventions…
There will be an enhanced need for quality research…
Health education specialists must…use technology to help others learn.
…The gap between school and community services will close.
Environmental activism will continue to emerge…
…people will judge the success of health education/promotion by whether or not their quality of life has improved
* Clark (1994)
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Professional Preparation – 2
Additional documents that can assist with developing the curriculum for the preparation of health education specialists are available.
Deliberations by members of the Committee on Educating Public Health Professionals for the 21st Century
Results of the study titles “2015 Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis (HESPA)”
Not advisable to prepare “generic” health education specialists
Collaborative relationships, innovativeness, curiousness, adventure, and truth seeking are some of the critical skills those leading the health education/promotion profession into the next several decades will possess
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Credentialing
Credentialing provides a means to assess whether or not a person has met entry-level competencies as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)
Places emphasis on the acquisition of skills
Disagreement about credentialing process exists because it tends to favor creating a generic health education specialist
Perhaps the future will bring a “practice-specific” credential to combat this controversy
CHES
Credential may allow for reimbursement for health education services provided in a medical care setting
Certification process establishes a national standard for individual health education practitioners
Credential assists employers in identifying practitioners who have met national standards, and serves as assurance to consumers that the health education specialist is competent
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Implications for Practice Settings – 1
School Setting
Use of a comprehensive approach to school health will best assure that the health needs of all children are met
Essential skills
read & interpret research findings; create scope & sequence; prepare & deliver lessons; evaluate lesson; assess health needs; assure health & counseling services are provided; participate in organizations; use technology; understand impact of culture on health; serve as resource person; communication skills; collaborate; work independently; assist with behavior change; work to increase health literacy
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Implications for Practice Settings – 2
Worksite Setting
Worksites have introduced an array of programs for employees and their families—many have incorporated health education/promotion programs
Expansion of work-site health promotion programs are creating increasing numbers of opportunities for health education specialists
Essential skills
Recognize importance of culture; conduct needs assessments; understand corporate culture & management philosophy; prepare & conduct prevention, fitness & screening programs; use technology; coordinate coalitions & committees; plan & manage a budget; serve as resource person; communication skills; work independently & as part of a team; assist with behavior change; employ evaluation strategies; working knowledge of epidemiology & statistics; understand literature & research; increase health literacy
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Implications for Practice Settings – 3
Public (Community) Health Setting
Community setting has greatest variety of options for the practice of health education
While there are a variety of different community health options, community health education specialists are consistently involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating population level interventions
Essential skills
recognize impact of cultural & demographic influences on health; seek information; assess communities; coalition building; participate in organizations; marketing techniques; flexibility; learn another language; advocate; work in a multidisciplinary environment; work independently & as part of a team; evaluation strategies that are outcomes-based; working knowledge of epidemiology & statistics; understand literature & research; increase health literacy
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Implications for Practice Settings – 4
Clinical or Healthcare Setting
Increasing receptivity to the fact that health education specialists can make a positive difference in the prevention and management of disease
Preventive services by medical providers are severely lacking mainly due to the time needed to provide such services
Patient education in the health care setting has moved from an innovation to a required service
Employment outlook is positive
Essential skills
working knowledge of epidemiology & statistics; use technology; assist with behavior change; understand impact of culture on health; aware of technological innovations to reach patients; provide training in health education to health care team; familiar with clinical disease processes; advocate for universal health care; prepare & deliver lessons; flexibility; coordinate interdisciplinary teams; serve as a liaison; learn other language; communication skills; work independently; understand informatics; increase health literacy
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Implications for Practice Settings – 5
Alternative settings
Teaching in postsecondary institutions, which requires a graduate degree in health education
Combining health education and journalism allows a person to report or write on health issues and trends
Many opportunities exist for practicing health education/promotion in a foreign country; however, a degree and knowledge of a foreign language is often needed
Sales positions with health textbook companies, pharmaceutical companies, and medical supply companies are available
Increasing need for health education specialists in long-term care facilities working with the aging population
Increasing number of opportunities for health education specialists in entrepreneurial or consultant roles
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Summary
Change is a constant
Flexibility is imperative in order to adapt to ongoing change
The future looks bright for health education specialist; many opportunities will expand in traditional & nontraditional settings
Health education specialists have the training & expertise to make a positive difference in enhancing the quality of life for all people
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Future Trends in Health Education/Promotion
Chapter 10: The End
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