Introduction

     Health education provides individuals with the knowledge and resources necessary to invoke changes in behavior and promote physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. It is a form of teaching, empowerment, and leading others towards a state of positive well-being. Health education also has an objective of providing equal and accessible health resources, as well as morally and ethically appropriate means of change. To achieve good health, individuals must accept positive and negative change with both care and reason, finding strength through poor health in hopes of accomplishing positive change. Good health will not be reached unless the individual has defined his or her goal and accepted the behavior changes necessary to reach that goal with an optimistic outlook. 

 

     As a health educator, I will promote safe and healthy behaviors to the best of my ability through the distribution of information, the development of health promotion programs, the advocation for those at risk, and the lobbying for political and social change in favor of common health. I will also volunteer my time and skills towards improvements in my community, build relationships with other health professionals, and seek a growing knowledge of current health concerns and global health topics. I will focus on each aspect of one’s journey to an improved quality of life, including individual, interpersonal, and community barriers. I will serve as a guide, resource, and motivator for those seeking good health.

 

     To be effective in the role of health educator, one must welcome diversity and change, while respecting the limit to which individuals are willing to change their behaviors and health. Health educators should also provide clear communication of health information, show enthusiasm towards change, and serve as a role-model for behaviors regarding health and wellness. It is essential that health educators refer to and influence each level of the community because our health is swayed by many factors, and the health of one individual can affect the health of the community. The knowledge of a health educator is ever-expanding and should be shared with those at-risk of poor health. Health educators are responsible for those they lead and should be willing to work alongside those individuals until better health is achieved.