“Health Education” refers to educating an individual or a community for adopting better, healthy and hygienic living conditions. It is very essential for enhancing the condition of the overall health of different communities and people. Health Education aims to raise awareness of individuals and communities on various aspects of health like – physical health, mental health, psychological health, prevention of diseases, sexual and reproductive health, etc. It aims to enhance health literacy and develop skills in people which will help them maintain good health. Health education is a broad subject and might also include topics like health issues of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and environmental health. It has to create awareness in the community about the prevailing health problems.
Good health is a precondition for a good education. The simplest and most traditional definition of health is that health is the freedom from sickness and disease. There is also a need for mandatory health education in schools by making the necessary policy changes in this regard. Good health can be achieved only through our efforts and proper health education. The authorities must also ensure that the program is backed up by a trained workforce, specializing in interacting and educating children and teachers. We can maintain good health only if we are aware of various factors that affect our health. Also, the teachers could be trained as health educators, to spread awareness among the students and the community.
Importance of Health Education
Health education improves the status of the overall health of an individual and community, ultimately resulting in the better overall health of the nation. If the people are aware of the hazards of polluted water they will take remedial measures themselves. It is directly related to a nation’s economic growth, as a better health education results in a high life expectancy and raised standards of living.
Health education aims at improving the health condition of an individual and a community. It is very important as it improves the health conditions of the people. It teaches an individual a way to stay healthy and remain safe from diseases. It also makes them responsible enough as a whole community. It also aims at developing them a sense of responsibility towards themselves as well as towards the community. You can also say that the economy of a country is directly proportional to health education. It is very significant in developing nations. It is given to people by professionals in the field known as health educators. It imparts to the people, the basic health knowledge about health and hygiene, by shaping their day to day activities. Furthermore, they undergo training related to health and hygiene for educating people.
Health Education refers to educating individuals, groups or communities in areas of health. The developing nations especially are in dire need of health education. It aims to educate people on how to maintain personal health. However, in broader aspects, health education also aims to improve the overall health of a community. It not only focuses on physical health but also addresses other issues like mental illnesses, sexual well-being and more.
