Health educators are an integral part of community health education
programs. They provide information to individuals and communities in an
effort to promote, maintain, and improve healthy lifestyles. Some of the
issues that are of importance include substance abuse, safety, HIV/STDs,
nutrition, high blood pressure, smoking, pregnancy, and diabetes. Health
educators are also responsible for collecting and analyzing data for the
purpose of researching, designing, and presenting preventative health care
programs. These individuals must be able to inform and organize community
coalitions in order to address concerns and issues that effect the health
of communities. Health educators are often responsible for writing
educational material, newsletters, public information reports, and grant
proposals. They may specialize in various areas that include clinical
health, public health, community health, industrial health, and school
health. The main objective for a health educator is to prevent disease and
promote healthy lifestyles through knowledge and behavior change. Anyone
interested in health education must enjoy working with a variety of
people, have good oral and written communication skills, and have a desire
to help people.
Work Environment:
Health educators typically work in health departments, community
organizations, corporations/worksites, volunteer organizations, schools,
colleges, and governmental organizations.
High School Preparation:
Students interested in a career as a health educator should take courses
in biology, English, public speaking, algebra, geometry, behavioral
sciences, social sciences, computer skills, writing, and health
occupations/medical professions education.
College Requirements:
Individuals interested in health education must have a high school diploma
or the equivalent. To become certified as a health educator, students must
first receive a bachelor's degree in health education/promotion, public
health, or community health. They must then pass a comprehensive written
exam given by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing,
Inc. Once the student has passed the exam, they will be recognized as a
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Health educators may further
their education with a master of public health degree. Students interested
in health education should contact schools for information on admission
and course of study.
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study
click here.
Career Outlook:
The job outlook for health educators is expected to be very good. The US
Department of Labor predicts a job market growth between 21% and 35%
through the end of the decade. This is a growth that is faster than the
average for all other occupations over the same period. Health educators
are going to be in greater demand because of the growing importance of
preventative health care. The importance of primary care will be shifted
to health education and promotion as more insurance companies and
governmental agencies start to realize the cost effectiveness of
preventative health measures. |
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Salary:
Average Annual Salary
$42,300
Salary Range
$28,500
-
$56,100
Professional Organizations:
American Public Health
Association
800 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 777-2742
www.apha.org
Society for Public
Health Education
750 First Street,
NE-Suite 910
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 408-9804
www.sophe.org
Mississippi Public
Health Association
PO Box 4834
Jackson, MS 39296-4834
Phone: (601) 576-7950
www.msdh.state.ms.us/mpha
Download our
Health Educator brochure
here.
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