03/29/2024
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By Cara Beth Lewis 

National Health Education Week, observed in the third week of October, promotes health education and the role it plays in our lives. This week is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and The Society for Public Health Education. The purpose of health education is to improve the health of the nation.

When health education specifically focuses on prevention, it helps lower the financial burden spent on medical treatment. Chronic conditions, like diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and cancer make up more than 75% of all money spent on healthcare in the United States alone each year, according to nationaltoday.com.

A different topic is highlighted on each day of National Health Education Week. The scheduled topics for NHEW 2021 are listed below.

  • Monday, October 18th: Facing New Challenges

  • Tuesday, October 19th: Exploring Careers in Health Education

  • Wednesday, October 20th: Looking at Diversity Through Accessibility

  • Thursday, October 21st: What We Should Know About the Future of Health Literacy

  • Friday, October 22nd: Mental Health in the Workplace

Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) hosts activities for each topic, each day of National Health Education Week. For more info, visit NHEW Activities – SOPHE.

Frequently Asked Questions: (from National Today)

  1. What is health education, and why is it important?

  • Health education increases knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes toward health. It covers physical, mental, emotional, and social health and motivates students to improve and maintain their own health while reducing harmful behaviors and preventing disease.

  1. What are the types of Health Education?

  • There are at least three categories of health education: the body, health services information, and the environment in which health choices are made.

  1. What are the concepts of health?

  • The concept of health is achieving complete physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than solely an absence of ailment or disease.

The more we know about health, the better we can take care of ourselves.

Happy National Health Education Week!

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