Philosophy of health education in a short

1. A statement summarizing the attitudes, principles,
beliefs, values, and concepts held by an individual or a
group

2.  In the early part of the last century, health education
focused on personal hygiene and communicable
diseases . Much of health education was cognitive-
based and many health educators emphasized factual
learning. As many communicable diseases were
brought under control and longevity dramatically
increased, the importance of chronic diseases, or
“diseases of civilization,” such as heart disease,
cancer, and stroke emerged. Later in the last century,
the focus shifted from diseases to behaviors
considered responsible for the diseases.

3.  The macro perspective philosophy
 The Functional/Utilitarian Philosophy –
 The Egalitarian Philosophy

4.  It encompasses collective responsibility and
community involvement.The concept is
promoting healthy people and healthy
communities through collective rather than
individual effort. I

5. Example –
 school lunch programs can be improved
 tobacco vending machines can be eliminated,
and bans on tobacco sales to minors can be
enforced.
 tobacco sell in public places can be
eliminated, and bans on tobacco sales to
minors can be enforced.

6.  Here the focus of health education/health
promotion is not on individual behavior or
lifestyle modification. Rather, the purpose is
to improve the health of the citizenry for the
purposes of promoting a healthy workforce
or a healthier school-aged population to
enhance learning and then as productive
members of the workforce, community and
society.

7.  Improving health through an egalitarian
perspective where everyboby will get equal
service and support.
 Egalitarian environment is characterized by
feelings of support, friendship, cooperation
and sociability

8.  Health education and health promotion are not
exclusively synonymous with lifestyle
modification.
 Our present health education philosophy, with
its emphasis on improving health through
individual behavior and lifestyle modification, is
not sufficient.
 The outcomes of this tunnel philosophy are a
less caring healthy society .
 A change in philosophy is essential to maximize
opportunities for a more healthful society on
individual and community levels.