Health Education

This literature review encompasses a full review of the resources that were identified as being integral pieces of reference for the final paper. It is hoped that this review will formulate an outline for the paper, that will assist in the creation of a health education program. All of the resources chosen have great information that will be useful in the program creation. The field of health is always changing, and the new information added can be very important for breakthroughs and treatments.

All sources are recent articles that will contribute current and viable information.

A Need for Change

There is a need for changing the field of health promotion, thanks to the quick changes and advances in the medical field (Terry, 2017). Why the change? Understand that wellness initiatives in the workplace have become very common. Many companies offer in-house programs and on-site examinations and tests to employees at no cost. Some companies even reward employees for good health or even attempts (exercise plans, better eating plans, etc.

). Health education efforts have also become broad in common places like the workplace, school, and communities. From company executives to floor associates, many individuals are taking part in health initiatives that are designed to improve their health and happiness overall. This is exactly why there is a need for change. The health practices that are in operation, although great, are not reaching as far as they need to be. There is a need for expansion. Most health professionals will be happy to confess that they do what they do because of the service aspect.

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However, that service can also be used much further and wider by others (Terry, 2017).

Addressing Health Promotion

Health promotion depends on the individuals to also do their part in health and wellness. To support healing and promotion efforts, information gateways of transfer among health organizers and practitioners are crucial (Cohn, 2017). Information is the key to addressing health promotion. It is the driving force behind the entire concept and without it, efforts will not advance. Consumers need information that is accessible and factual. This information also needs to be useful depending on the needs of the individual. If the information is looked upon as useful and relevant to the individual, it could greatly induce health behavior change which is a positive thing. Research suggests that such information can empower and encourage confidence to make behavior changes, especially for those with chronic illnesses (Cohn, 2017). Personalization is a definite need when it comes to addressing health promotion. Designing strategies that would be tailored to individuals’ needs will result in positive changes in their behavior. In health, achieving results is critical and personalization regarding treatments and communication will help deliver health information impactfully. A study revealed that tailored educational approaches for consumer health should be considered by health professionals and will encourage behavior change in consumers (Cohn, 2017).

Nurses’ Perception as Role Models

Before instituting plans or programs to address health promotion and standards, the individuals facilitating these programs must not only be qualified to divulge this crucial information, but also role models themselves. A doctor cannot advocate good health and wellness if he or she is not demonstrating the same good health and wellness habits. A study done by Shelia Hurley and others (2018), had a purpose to determine this sort of relationship. The relationship between the practitioner and them serve as role models. This study looked at two factors: the perception of being a role model and the practice itself of healthy behaviors. In this study of “804 Tennessee registered nurses, 4% report smoking, 24.9% drink alcohol, 34% are overweight, and 30% are obese. Approximately 70% do not meet the weekly physical activity recommendations of 150 min, and 36.2% follow guidelines for a healthy diet only 50% of the time or less. There were significant correlations between following a healthy diet or physical activity and the Self as a Role Model of Health Promotion (SARMHEP) scores. Based on the regression analysis, working in acute care or ambulatory setting negatively affected the SARMHEP, as opposed to age and sex having a positive effect on the SARMHEP score (Hurley, 2018).” In the health education program, role models will be crucial for setting the tone and being examples of wellness and well-being. The American Nurse Association defines a nurse as one who actively focuses on creating and maintaining balance and synergy of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, personal, and professional wellbeing. Nurses and other health practitioners need to demonstrate the same while educating others. Role modeling can be very effective and can contribute to the consumer’s pressure to value their health and their families.

Population Health Management

I think it is important to include population health management as a theme. Researching this topic gave some good insight on ways to implement standardization and community health initiatives. Consumers needing in-hospital care are one thing but managing the health of that individual once they leave can be another arena. Health management has been evident in communities. This can be witnessed in community programs like diabetes education, immunization efforts, and nursing departments in the public school systems. There are even wellness programs like running clubs and needle exchange programs that can assist with managing health in a certain population, in this instance a community or neighborhood. Of course, this will not be impactful without the collaboration from local hospitals and private practices. Even grocery stores and retail pharmacies can assist with health education.

Educating the Youth and Elderly

Health promotion is for the entire population, in any area or community. It will be important that all individuals have these resources available to them and that no biased programs are being instituted. It is a fact that the elderly have long been neglected as a receiver of health promotion and the activities that come along with it. In fact, by the time they are educated, it is too late or they are in a critical state from their illness. This could be the result of the perception that as an individual got older, it was too late to change their lifestyle. This means that health practitioners had a hard time getting elderly individuals to change their habits or diets. This should not be the perception today, as it is never too late to involve better eating habits and wellness in one’s lifestyle. Dr. Stanisława Golinowska, professor of health sciences, wrote in an article that “health promotion targeted to older people differs significantly from that addressing younger generations. This partly stems from the fact that the health of older people is generally less than perfect. Seniors are more likely to be suffering from chronic conditions and multi-morbidities, and their functional capacity is frequently limited. This implies that the health promotion programs for the elderly have to account for these limitations in health and daily activities and require more involvement of professional health promoters and more individualized approaches (Golinowska, 2016).” For the younger generation, there is still hope to be proactive with wellness initiatives that may carry over into their adult life Many youthswayyouths ways are struggling with peer pressure in school, doing things that will be harmful to their health, or well-being. This is the only concern that would counter health education efforts, but in no ways should it cease efforts. Education is key and the more our youth understand and know when it comes to their health – the better they will be. It may also be useful to design a health education program that could be implemented in the school system, aligning with the required instruction and coursework and could suit the needs of an internal wellness initiative. Educational systems already have this sort of program implemented but how effective is it?

The Power of Digital Technology

Undoubtedly, healthcare changes and changes in information changes not avoidable thanks to the use of technology. It has been influential in disseminating education and a beneficial tool for promoting health standards to all audiences (Thomas, 2018). Technology has also been used to help reinforce health information knowledge and be a point of reference for consumers. Presenting this information on technological platforms areis an advantage since a wider audience can be reached. Also, various uses of technology, such as multimedia, animations,   etcetera, can give consumers a real-life view and perspective of health information (Thomas, 2018). For example, years ago (and maybe this is still a tool) health information facilitators used to use a dummy with prototype lungs to demonstrate the effects of smoking. The lungs would be made from some material that would react to a certain chemical, within a mason jar. The facilitator would press a button to cause the white material (the lungs) to turn black – signifying the effect of smoking tobacco. This would be even more interesting if it were animated using technology – where each part/segment of the process could be explained and demonstrated with the click of a mouse. Digital technology can deliver messages that can be updated very quickly as information changes. Although, when using participants and volunteers in these technological demonstrations, ethical considerations must be examined. Some of the topics that technology can help relay to a mass audience are (but are not limited to): cancer, influenza, HIV/AIDS, stroke, heart disease, and heart attack. Secondary wellness topics can also be relayed, like immunizations, well visits, healthy eating, exercise, safe driving, hand washing, and poison prevention (Thomas, 2018).

References

1. Cohn, W. F., Lyman, J., Broshek, D. K., Guterbock, T. M., Hartman, D., Kinzie, M., … Garson, A. T. (2018). Tailored Educational Approaches for Consumer Health: A Model to Address Health Promotion in an Era of Personalized Medicine. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(1), 188–197. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/0890117116671082
2. Devereaux, D. S., & Zilz, D. A. (2018). Population health management: A community imperative. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 75(2), 46–48. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hch&AN=127211499&site=ehost-live&scope=site
3. Fortune, K., Becerra-Posada, F., Buss, P., Galvão, L. A. C., Contreras, A., Murphy, M., … de Francisco, A. (2018). Health promotion and the agenda for sustainable development, WHO Region of the Americas. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 96(9), 621–626. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.2471/BLT.17.204404
4. Golinowska, S., Groot, W., Baji, P., & Pavlova, M. (2016). Health promotion targets older people. BMC health services research, 16 Suppl 5(Suppl 5), 345. doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1514-3
5. Hurley, S., Edwards, J., Cupp, J., & Phillips, M. (2018). Nurses’ Perceptions of Self as Role Models of Health. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 40(8), 1131–1147. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945917701396
6. Lincoln, K. D. (2018). Advocates for African American Elders: Engaging Our Older Adults in Education and Research. Generations, 42(2), 73–77. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hch&AN=130621638&site=ehost-live&scope=site
7. Liveng, A., Andersen, H. M., & Lehn-Christiansen, S. (2018). Health promotion in context: A reflective-analytical model. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 46(20_suppl), 66–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494817743899
8. Tait, M. E., Wójcik, O. P., Plough, A. L., & Lumpkin, J. R. (2018, May 2). Building a Culture of Health in Our Changing Climate. American Journal of Public Health, pp. S64–S65. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304361
9. Thomas, V. (2018). Using Digital Technology to Promote Health. MEDSURG Nursing, 27(5), 333–335. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hch&AN=132180608&site=ehost-live&scope=sitev
10. Terry, P. E. (2018). Why Health Promotion Needs to Change. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(1), 13–15. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/0890117117745445
11. Terry, P. (2018). Is Health Promotion a Journey or a Destination? American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(7), 1486–1488. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/0890117118793589