The programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services are intended to help people live a healthier life, including providing health care and helping them get access to health insurance. These programs include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start and child support, along with health programs that encourage a healthy lifestyle such as smoking cessation and weight management. The government also works to improve the quality of health care and provide health research and information.
A federal program funded by taxpayer dollars, the National Prevention Strategy is designed to reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The strategy focuses on influencing modifiable risk behaviors such as smoking, poor eating habits and insufficient physical activity and aims to achieve measurable outcomes such as reduced morbidity and mortality.
Government health programs are those that are sponsored by the government, such as those offered by local governments and private entities, for their employees or enrollees. These programs often offer incentives to employees such as premium discounts or cash rewards for completing wellness activities such as smoking cessation or fitness classes.
Health educators are employed by schools, hospitals and private businesses to educate others on how to make healthy choices to help prevent disease. They design, promote, lead and/or evaluate programs on topics such as stress management, nutrition education, obesity, smoking cessation and aerobic exercise. They may also be involved in the development of educational materials and writing grants for money to support these projects. Confidentiality is maintained regarding staff assessment results and health promotion activities.
School nurses are trained to assess, monitor and respond to a variety of student health needs. In addition to monitoring students for illness, injury and emotional distress, they teach students about the importance of health-related topics such as personal hygiene, safe food handling and safe exercise. School nurses may also provide health screenings and administer vaccinations as needed.
Community health education is an organized effort by individuals and groups within a community to create a more positive and healthy environment. The program focuses on specific efforts and measurable outcomes such as health literacy and community action to increase healthy behavior. It also aims to influence the attitudes of those who are responsible for the social and environmental conditions that affect health.
The goal of health education is to improve the total well-being of the individual through the development of internally consistent values, beliefs and external social and cultural forces. Educators aim to develop the knowledge, skills and motivation needed to achieve the highest level of health and personal achievement possible. To be effective, the curriculum must address the health-related learning needs of the whole student and the teaching staff must have adequate professional preparation and training in the area of health education.