Health Education helps individuals to be empowered and communities to live healthier by improving the physical, mental, emotional and social health through increasing their knowledge and influencing their attitudes on caring for their well-being. Hence, to increase the national awareness on major public health issues and to promote a better understanding of the role of health education, yearly every third (3rd) week of October is observed as Health Education Week.
Health education is a social science that aims to promote health and prevent disease through voluntary behavioral change activities. It is a combination of biological, environmental, psychological, intellectual, physical, and medical aspects of health focused on helping individuals and communities through self-enhancing skills and activities.
So how important is Health Education in our lives?
1. We can take care of ourselves better
The further we know on our health the better we can take care of ourselves. Health Education advocates deeper understanding of our health issues and encourages us to trust on health care educators to stay informed.
2. It helps appreciate the educators
Health Education reminds us of the importance of health care educators and the contribution they make to the health of our communities. Educators share critical knowledge that can help us live healthier lives.
3. Keeps us informed on our health to stay healthy
Health education programs include increasing our knowledge and influences behavior change on physical, mental, emotional and social health for our overall well-being and health
4. It influences many areas of wellness within the community
It impacts many aspects of the community’s wellness including chronic disease awareness and prevention, maternal and infant health, tobacco use and substance abuse, injury and violence prevention, mental and behavioral health, nutrition, exercise and obesity prevention.
Briefly, health education is vital as it teaches us to appreciate the life that we have by knowing the different ways on taking care of it and helps us to be informed what are the numerous risks that may affect not only ourselves but also our families and the community as a whole.
NO I Angelica O. Pajulas
References:
http://www.lhprime.com/news/celebrating-health-education-week-health-ed-important/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-health-education-week/
https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/2018/02/importance-of-health-education
