#725
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 00:06:16 -0500
From: "Lance & Debra Lafler Jr." <debnlance@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: health education
**
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For those of you who have asked, or been asked, WHAT IS HEALTH EDUCATION?
The Health Professionals Network (HPN) ( http://www.healthpronet.org/), an
organization representing the diverse aspects of allied health, has done a
descriptive piece on health education for the month of July 2002. The
article & link are pasted below.
HEALTH PROFESSION NETWORK (HPN)
“Communication, consensus, and advocacy on behalf of allied health
professionals”
: p forwho'e, health educators are entering other fields to assist withh
sease prevention & treatment,
mental
Allied Health Profession of the Month - July 2002 : HEALTH EDUCATION [
http://www.healthpronet.org/ahp_month/07_02.html ]
Health Education
Since early in the 20th century, health educators have played an important
role in addressing challenges to our health. In the past, when the biggest
killers in this country were infectious diseases such as smallpox, science
and medicine helped bring these killers more under control. In those efforts
the role of the health educator was paramount. Then and now health educators
provided expertise in shaping messages, sharing information about different
infectious diseases, designing health programs and campaigns, and helping
consumers understand disease risks and appropriate ways for improving health
status. Now, the greatest threats to our health are chronic diseases like
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, AIDS, obesity, injuries, as well as
biological agents. In addressing these threats, the job of health educators
involves a knowledge-base and skill set aimed at improving and maintaining
the health of individuals, families, and communities.
The official Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) definition of a
health educator is as follows: "promotes, maintains, and improves individual
and community health by teaching individuals and communities how to assume
responsibility for addressing health care issues. They collect and analyze
data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing,
monitoring, and interpreting programs designed to encourage healthy
behaviors. May also serve as a resource to assist the individual or
community and may administer fiscal resources for health education
programs."
Health education is a social science that draws from the biological,
environmental, psychological, physical, and medical sciences to promote
health and prevent disease, disability, and premature death through
theory-based voluntary behavior change activities, programs, campaigns, and
research. It is an essential public health service that has people
practicing each of the core functions of public health: assessment, policy
development, and quality assurance. By focusing on prevention, health
education reduces the financial and human costs that individuals, employers,
medical facilities, insurance companies, and the nation would spend on
medical treatment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are more than 40,000
community health educators in the U.S. Many health educators specialize in
health education or community health (trained and/or certified health
education specialists). They practice in schools, colleges, workplaces,
medical care settings, public health settings, community-based agencies and
organizations and other settings. Others perform selected health education
functions as part of what they consider their primary responsibility
(medical treatment, nursing, social work, substance abuse/HIV counselors,
oral hygiene, etc.). Lay workers may also learn on the job to do specific,
limited educational tasks to encourage healthy behavior. While
para-professionals and health professionals from other disciplines may offer
health education services, they may not be familiar with the specialized
body of health education and behavior change knowledge, skills, theories,
and research, nor is it their primary interest or professional development
focus.
Being a health educator requires specialized study. Over 250 colleges and
universities in the U.S. offer professional preparation programs in health
education with degrees varying from baccalaureate to doctorate. Health
education has entry-level and advanced level competencies that serve as
basis for professional practice. For example, health educators can assess
the need for and plan, develop, implement, manage, and evaluation health
programs in collaboration with medical staff and community agencies.
Nationally, health educators also may receive a special certification in the
field, Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), from the National
Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc (NCHEC). A CHES is
specifically trained to effectively assess health education needs; plan,
implement, and evaluate programs; build coalitions and coordinate the
provision of health services; identify resources; act as an advocate for
health issues; and communicate health education needs. CHES are re-certified
every five years based on documentation of participation in 75 hours of
approved continuing education activities. Employing a Certified Health
Education Specialists gives your organization professionals who have
demonstrated expertise in health education, will increase the effective of
your programs, and have contemporary skills and knowledge of health
education through their continuing education requirements.
While health educators are traditionally associated with brochures and
videos, this association only minimally defines their capacities. Health
education in practice has an ecological approach in creating healthy
communities. Health educators work at the individual, group, institutional,
community and systemic levels to improve health knowledge, attitudes, and
skills for the purpose of changing or encouraging behaviors that relate to
optimal health status.
The field provides a scientific backdrop that has established strong
theories for converting poor health habits to health enhancing behaviors.
This rich information is shared in theory-based journals that are renowned
in the public health field for the latest research and best practice. These
journals include Health Education & Behavior, American Journal of Health
Promotion, Health Promotion Practice, Health Education Research, Journal of
Health Education to name a few. Health educators also belong to health
education professional organizations and adhere to a professional code of
ethics.
Health education is celebrated nationally during National Health Education
Week during the third week of October. It will be held on October 21-27,
2002 this year. This celebration is an effort to focus national attention on
a major public health problem, provide public education on the issue, and
improve consumers' understanding of the role of health education in
promoting the public's health. This year the theme is "Medicine Education:
What Children Need to Know."
To learn more about the field of health education, please contact one of the
following member organizations of the Coalition of National Health Education
Organizations.
American Association for Health Education
1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
800-213-7193
http://www.aahperd.org/aahe
American College Health Association
PO Box 28937
Baltimore, MD 21240
410-859-1500
http://www.acha.org
American School Health Association
7263 State Route 43
PO Box 708
Kent, OH 44240
330-678-1601
http://www.ashaweb.org
Association of State and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and
Public Health Education
1101 15th St. NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20005
202-659-2230
http://www.astdhpphe.org/
Eta Sigma Gamma
The National Professional Health Education Honorary
2000 University Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47306
800-715-2559
http://www.bsu.edu/web/esg/
Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section
School Health Education and Services Section
American Public Health Association
800 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20002
202-777-APHA (2742)
http://www.apha.org/
http://www.jhsph.edu/hao/phehp/
Society for Public Health Education
750 First Street, NE, Suite 910
Washington, DC 20002
202-408-9804
http://www.sophe.org
Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
1900 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1599
703-476-3402
****************************************************************************
*******************
Communication, consensus, and advocacy on behalf of allied health
professionals
HEALTH PROFESSION NETWORK (HPN)
1850 Samuel Morse Drive, Reston, Virginia 20190-5316
Phone: (703) 708-9000 Fax: (703) 708-9015
Copyright © 2002
http://www.healthpronet.org/
HEALTH PROFESSION NETWORK (HPN)
The Health Professions Network (HPN) is a very unique and exciting group.
The Health Professions Network is a unification of professionals,
representing diverse aspects of allied health including primarily provider
organizations, but also educators, accreditors and administrators. The group
works together in a cooperative and interactive manner on issues relevant to
health care.
------------------------------
#726
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 09:15:27 -0400
From: "Allison S. Lowe" <alowe@GLOBALHEALTHACTION.ORG>
Subject: Re: health education/ Course Announcement
**
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On a related note, I have a course announcement that should interest all
health educators here on the HEDIR list. For more information about the
course listed below, see www.globalhealthaction.org, or contact Elizabeth
Fitch at programs@globalhealthaction.org or 404-634-5748.
TRANSFORMATION FOR HEALTH WORKSHOP (TFH)
October 3 - 7, 2002
TFH is a five-day workshop preparing health professionals and community
leaders to become trainers and to lead the listening, dialogue and action
process in their workplaces and communities. The course equips participants
with new skills that enable them to engage their whole community in the
process of transforming their lives for the better.
What is transformation?
Educator Paulo Freire, with whom the TFH model originated, believed that the
most powerful learning takes place when everyday people come together,
analyze their realities and work toward the TRANSFORMATION of society.
What is health?
The World Health Organization defines HEALTH as a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity.
The goal of TFH is to teach community leaders to empower their communities
to become active partners in the design of their own personal and community
health and well-being. The workshop provides an opportunity for participants
to learn to lead by experiencing the TFH method through participation.
Participants experience and learn:
- How to be a skilled listener
- How to listen for key community issues
- How to use problem-posing education
- How to facilitate group discussions
- How to make sure that help is always helpful
- Why empowering people to take health into their own hands is the key to
health for all
Participants in TFH workshops have ranged from parish nurses to
communication professionals, community organization leaders to
congregational health promoters, from all over the United States and the
world.
COST
The cost for the workshop is $450, which includes beverage breaks and
lunches.
Training for Transformation, a three-volume book set, is offered for an
additional, optional cost of $40.
SCHEDULE
October 3 - 7, 2002
Thursday - Saturday, Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday: morning free, 1 PM - 5 PM
LOCATION
Global Health Action
2250 North Druid Hills Road, Suite 130
Atlanta, GA 30329
CONTACT
programs@globalhealthaction.org
phone: 404-634-5748
web: www.globalhealthaction.org
-----Original Message-----
From: The HEDIR is operated by Mark J. Kittleson, SIUC
[mailto:HEDIR-L@SIU.EDU]On Behalf Of Lance & Debra Lafler Jr.
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 1:06 AM
To: HEDIR-L@SIU.EDU
Subject: health education
**
** Improve the Profession-Join AAHE
** http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm
**
** Hey!!! Send the HEDIR Your Picture...
** http://www.hedir.org/people
**
For those of you who have asked, or been asked, WHAT IS HEALTH EDUCATION?
The Health Professionals Network (HPN) ( http://www.healthpronet.org/), an
organization representing the diverse aspects of allied health, has done a
descriptive piece on health education for the month of July 2002. The
article & link are pasted below.
HEALTH PROFESSION NETWORK (HPN)
“Communication, consensus, and advocacy on behalf of allied health
professionals”
: p forwho'e, health educators are entering other fields to assist withh
sease prevention & treatment,
mental
Allied Health Profession of the Month - July 2002 : HEALTH EDUCATION [
http://www.healthpronet.org/ahp_month/07_02.html ]
Health Education
Since early in the 20th century, health educators have played an important
role in addressing challenges to our health. In the past, when the biggest
killers in this country were infectious diseases such as smallpox, science
and medicine helped bring these killers more under control. In those efforts
the role of the health educator was paramount. Then and now health educators
provided expertise in shaping messages, sharing information about different
infectious diseases, designing health programs and campaigns, and helping
consumers understand disease risks and appropriate ways for improving health
status. Now, the greatest threats to our health are chronic diseases like
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, AIDS, obesity, injuries, as well as
biological agents. In addressing these threats, the job of health educators
involves a knowledge-base and skill set aimed at improving and maintaining
the health of individuals, families, and communities.
The official Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) definition of a
health educator is as follows: "promotes, maintains, and improves individual
and community health by teaching individuals and communities how to assume
responsibility for addressing health care issues. They collect and analyze
data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing,
monitoring, and interpreting programs designed to encourage healthy
behaviors. May also serve as a resource to assist the individual or
community and may administer fiscal resources for health education
programs."
Health education is a social science that draws from the biological,
environmental, psychological, physical, and medical sciences to promote
health and prevent disease, disability, and premature death through
theory-based voluntary behavior change activities, programs, campaigns, and
research. It is an essential public health service that has people
practicing each of the core functions of public health: assessment, policy
development, and quality assurance. By focusing on prevention, health
education reduces the financial and human costs that individuals, employers,
medical facilities, insurance companies, and the nation would spend on
medical treatment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are more than 40,000
community health educators in the U.S. Many health educators specialize in
health education or community health (trained and/or certified health
education specialists). They practice in schools, colleges, workplaces,
medical care settings, public health settings, community-based agencies and
organizations and other settings. Others perform selected health education
functions as part of what they consider their primary responsibility
(medical treatment, nursing, social work, substance abuse/HIV counselors,
oral hygiene, etc.). Lay workers may also learn on the job to do specific,
limited educational tasks to encourage healthy behavior. While
para-professionals and health professionals from other disciplines may offer
health education services, they may not be familiar with the specialized
body of health education and behavior change knowledge, skills, theories,
and research, nor is it their primary interest or professional development
focus.
Being a health educator requires specialized study. Over 250 colleges and
universities in the U.S. offer professional preparation programs in health
education with degrees varying from baccalaureate to doctorate. Health
education has entry-level and advanced level competencies that serve as
basis for professional practice. For example, health educators can assess
the need for and plan, develop, implement, manage, and evaluation health
programs in collaboration with medical staff and community agencies.
Nationally, health educators also may receive a special certification in the
field, Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), from the National
Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc (NCHEC). A CHES is
specifically trained to effectively assess health education needs; plan,
implement, and evaluate programs; build coalitions and coordinate the
provision of health services; identify resources; act as an advocate for
health issues; and communicate health education needs. CHES are re-certified
every five years based on documentation of participation in 75 hours of
approved continuing education activities. Employing a Certified Health
Education Specialists gives your organization professionals who have
demonstrated expertise in health education, will increase the effective of
your programs, and have contemporary skills and knowledge of health
education through their continuing education requirements.
While health educators are traditionally associated with brochures and
videos, this association only minimally defines their capacities. Health
education in practice has an ecological approach in creating healthy
communities. Health educators work at the individual, group, institutional,
community and systemic levels to improve health knowledge, attitudes, and
skills for the purpose of changing or encouraging behaviors that relate to
optimal health status.
The field provides a scientific backdrop that has established strong
theories for converting poor health habits to health enhancing behaviors.
This rich information is shared in theory-based journals that are renowned
in the public health field for the latest research and best practice. These
journals include Health Education & Behavior, American Journal of Health
Promotion, Health Promotion Practice, Health Education Research, Journal of
Health Education to name a few. Health educators also belong to health
education professional organizations and adhere to a professional code of
ethics.
Health education is celebrated nationally during National Health Education
Week during the third week of October. It will be held on October 21-27,
2002 this year. This celebration is an effort to focus national attention on
a major public health problem, provide public education on the issue, and
improve consumers' understanding of the role of health education in
promoting the public's health. This year the theme is "Medicine Education:
What Children Need to Know."
To learn more about the field of health education, please contact one of the
following member organizations of the Coalition of National Health Education
Organizations.
American Association for Health Education
1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
800-213-7193
http://www.aahperd.org/aahe
American College Health Association
PO Box 28937
Baltimore, MD 21240
410-859-1500
http://www.acha.org
American School Health Association
7263 State Route 43
PO Box 708
Kent, OH 44240
330-678-1601
http://www.ashaweb.org
Association of State and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and
Public Health Education
1101 15th St. NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20005
202-659-2230
http://www.astdhpphe.org/
Eta Sigma Gamma
The National Professional Health Education Honorary
2000 University Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47306
800-715-2559
http://www.bsu.edu/web/esg/
Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section
School Health Education and Services Section
American Public Health Association
800 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20002
202-777-APHA (2742)
http://www.apha.org/
http://www.jhsph.edu/hao/phehp/
Society for Public Health Education
750 First Street, NE, Suite 910
Washington, DC 20002
202-408-9804
http://www.sophe.org
Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
1900 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1599
703-476-3402
****************************************************************************
*******************
Communication, consensus, and advocacy on behalf of allied health
professionals
HEALTH PROFESSION NETWORK (HPN)
1850 Samuel Morse Drive, Reston, Virginia 20190-5316
Phone: (703) 708-9000 Fax: (703) 708-9015
Copyright © 2002
http://www.healthpronet.org/
HEALTH PROFESSION NETWORK (HPN)
The Health Professions Network (HPN) is a very unique and exciting group.
The Health Professions Network is a unification of professionals,
representing diverse aspects of allied health including primarily provider
organizations, but also educators, accreditors and administrators. The group
works together in a cooperative and interactive manner on issues relevant to
health care.
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------------------------------
#727
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 10:41:07 -0500
From: Michael Pejsach <healthedman@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Renew CHES?
**
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** Deal with the issues NOW!
** http://www.health-educators.org
Jennifer,
Before I respond to the CHES debate I must first warn you that I am biased.
I am a strong proponent of the CHES.
I don't believe that it is the responsibility of NCHEC to enhance "the value
of the CHES." I believe that it is up to a professional organization. It
seems to me that your professional organization should be playing the role
of promoter, promoting health educators. At this point in time professional
organizations seem to be merely clearinghouses for CHES CECH's (CEUs). While
this is an important role, it is clearly not enough.
I believe that the "value of the CHES" would be enhanced when folks who hire
professionals know who they are and what you can do. The CHES helps to
define the roles and responsibilities of the entry level health professional
who can serve as a health educator. The CHES is internal marketing of sorts.
Doesn't it make sense that the professional organizations, taking over
$200-300 per year in dues, should be educating THE PUBLIC, as well as other
potential health care team members, about the role of the health
educator...and, thus, what the minimum requirements are to function in that
role? This external marketing role is the role of the professional
organization, I believe.
I'm certain you've seen the marketing and promotion pamphlet the New York
State Health Educators group developed. It promotes health educators and
CHES by educating about the role and responsibilities of the professional.
It's a wonderful piece of marketing, but it's "a New York thing." As a state
organization I'm sure they don't have the resources (the $200-$300 dues) to
publish it for all to use. It is, also, only a small part of campaigns that
are needed to promote "the trained health educator", which would,
undoubtedly, enhance "the value of the CHES." At a recent New Orleans
conference the NY pamphlet came bundled with other materials. Unfortunately
I heard attendees commenting that "this New York thing wouldn't work in my
state." I believe it would make a difference if a national organization had
published it (along with other promotional activities).
The separation of "promotion and marketing the professional," and the CHES
is important. NCECH should, in my humble opinion, continue to focus
primarily on quality tests and testing procedures as well as, secondarily,
working with professional organizations to promote the profession. The only
piece that's missing now, articulated in your message, is the fact that a
professional organization hasn't stepped up to the plate to wholeheartedly
market and promote who we are. (Private partners can help: Have you seen the
Johnson and Johnson television ads --paid TV ads, non-PSA-- for nursing?)
Don't give up your certification. An old Jewish Proverb says that "If I am
not for myself, who will be? But if I am only for myself, who am I?" I think
that the big picture and the future are important. I maintain my CHES
certification even as an unemployed health educator! I believe that it is
the most important aspect of the developing profession. It is important for
the profession in the long term, in the big picture, outside of myself,
although it has little or no impact here in Louisiana for me and/or most of
my colleagues at this time (except for academia; CHES means little in hiring
other health educators here). If we hang in there, it will have an impact,
perhaps "not for ourselves," but for the future health educators.
Should we be arguing about the $155 value of CHES certification fees
required by NCHEC to maintain a quality process? I believe their
administrative costs are pretty lean and, because of highly dedicated hard
working volunteer representatives, have a pretty smooth low cost operation.
I think we should be raising hell with our professional organizations,
pushing them to do more to "enhance the value of the CHES." This pressure
to move on this should come from outside the coalitions and outside NCHEC.
It takes letter writing and phone calls from the membership.
It takes money and muscle to educate, and the professional organization have
those resources and should be using it for the professional, not for the
organization. Take a look at "administrative costs" of running the
organization. Are they the same folks purporting to support these efforts,
and then complains that the "resources are simply not there" to do so.
Don't lose heart! There are some wonderful examples of state led efforts,
such as the Great Lakes Chapter, Society of Public Health Education
(Michigan), that promotes the profession, helping to prevent "everyone and
their mother think[ing] they can be a health educator." By participating in
such groups you can contribute to enhancing the value of the CHES.
Please note that I am not writing this to attack professional organizations.
These organizations have done much. It is, however, the time to take things
to the next level is long overdue. It seems to me that many health
education professionals, leaders in these organizations, either stymied by
the organization's bureaucracy, or by their wait and see nature (late
adopters?), have chosen to wait and see, or stall on the idea of marketing
and promotion! How many more health education positions need to go to
non-CHES or non-professionally prepared "health educators" before we take
action to stop or prevent it?
Don't give up: "If you think you¹re too small to be effective, you have
never been in bed with a mosquito."
Best wishes,
Michael
Michael Pejsach, Ed.D., CHES
Life&Health Enhancement Services
Health Behavior Change Consulting
5101 W. Esplanade Avenue
Metairie, LA 70006
Voice/fax: (504) 885-4254
** For more health education info, visit:
** http://healthbehavior.com/index3.shtml
**
** Review/Learn about PRECEDE/PROCEED @
** http://healthbehavior.com/CHESCECHs.shtml
**
------------------------------
#728
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 12:39:16 -0400
From: "Simmons, Rob" <RSimmons@CHRISTIANACARE.ORG>
Subject: The Renew CHES Discussion - promoting the profession
**
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Michael, excellent points about the value of CHES. I too am biased both for
CHES and as a long-time supporter of SOPHE. I do want to state that with 30
years of health education experience and having been through the wars of the
credentialling debate, I believe our professional organizations like SOPHE,
AAHE and others have actively been promoting CHES and the health education
profession. Of course, we should all do more, but I believe that promoting
the field and profession of health education is a top priority of all our
national health education professional organzations. As an example, here is
a note sent earlier this morning from Elaine Auld, SOPHE Exec. Director to
SOPHE leadership.
Rob Simmons, DrPH, MPH, CHES
SOPHE Co-VP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
Greetings SOPHE Leadership -- Extra! Extra! Read Al About It! Health
educators are in the news....thanks to the great work of our External
Communications Committee, headed by Cam Escoffery and Lenora Johnson.!!
In efforts to educate other professionals about "what is a health
educator?"...the committee put this pithy and informative description that
is now posted on the Health Professions Network website!
<http://www.healthpronet.org/ahp_month/07_02.html>
The Health Professions Network is a "unification of professionals,
representing diverse aspects of allied health including primarily provider
organizations, but also educators, accreditors and administrators. The group
works together in a cooperative and interactive manner on issues relevant to
health care. Participants meet at least annually to engage in discussion of
issues relating to health care and to serve as a conduit for
interdisciplinary problem solving and preparation for future health care
delivery."
After its "premier" for July on the HPN homepage, it will be indexed along
with the other articles on various professions. So, you can feel free to
bookmark the site and direct others to it in the future.
By sharing the site with others you will be helping to implement SOPHE's
strategic plan...and promoting our profession!
_________________________________
Elaine Auld, MPH, CHES
Executive Director
Society for Public Health Education
750 First St, NE, #910
Washington, DC 20002
phone: (202) 408-9804
fax: (202) 408-9815
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Pejsach [SMTP:healthedman@COX.NET]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 11:41 AM
> To: HEDIR-L@SIU.EDU
> Subject: Renew CHES?
>
>
> Jennifer,
> Before I respond to the CHES debate I must first warn you that I am
> biased.
> I am a strong proponent of the CHES.
>
> I don't believe that it is the responsibility of NCHEC to enhance "the
> value
> of the CHES." I believe that it is up to a professional organization. It
> seems to me that your professional organization should be playing the role
> of promoter, promoting health educators. At this point in time
> professional
> organizations seem to be merely clearinghouses for CHES CECH's (CEUs).
> While
> this is an important role, it is clearly not enough.
>
> I believe that the "value of the CHES" would be enhanced when folks who
> hire
> professionals know who they are and what you can do. The CHES helps to
> define the roles and responsibilities of the entry level health
> professional
> who can serve as a health educator. The CHES is internal marketing of
> sorts.
>
> Doesn't it make sense that the professional organizations, taking over
> $200-300 per year in dues, should be educating THE PUBLIC, as well as
> other
> potential health care team members, about the role of the health
> educator...and, thus, what the minimum requirements are to function in
> that
> role? This external marketing role is the role of the professional
> organization, I believe.
>
> I'm certain you've seen the marketing and promotion pamphlet the New York
> State Health Educators group developed. It promotes health educators and
> CHES by educating about the role and responsibilities of the professional.
> It's a wonderful piece of marketing, but it's "a New York thing." As a
> state
> organization I'm sure they don't have the resources (the $200-$300 dues)
> to
> publish it for all to use. It is, also, only a small part of campaigns
> that
> are needed to promote "the trained health educator", which would,
> undoubtedly, enhance "the value of the CHES." At a recent New Orleans
> conference the NY pamphlet came bundled with other materials.
> Unfortunately
> I heard attendees commenting that "this New York thing wouldn't work in my
> state." I believe it would make a difference if a national organization
> had
> published it (along with other promotional activities).
>
> The separation of "promotion and marketing the professional," and the CHES
> is important. NCECH should, in my humble opinion, continue to focus
> primarily on quality tests and testing procedures as well as, secondarily,
> working with professional organizations to promote the profession. The
> only
> piece that's missing now, articulated in your message, is the fact that a
> professional organization hasn't stepped up to the plate to wholeheartedly
> market and promote who we are. (Private partners can help: Have you seen
> the
> Johnson and Johnson television ads --paid TV ads, non-PSA-- for nursing?)
>
> Don't give up your certification. An old Jewish Proverb says that "If I am
> not for myself, who will be? But if I am only for myself, who am I?" I
> think
> that the big picture and the future are important. I maintain my CHES
> certification even as an unemployed health educator! I believe that it is
> the most important aspect of the developing profession. It is important
> for
> the profession in the long term, in the big picture, outside of myself,
> although it has little or no impact here in Louisiana for me and/or most
> of
> my colleagues at this time (except for academia; CHES means little in
> hiring
> other health educators here). If we hang in there, it will have an
> impact,
> perhaps "not for ourselves," but for the future health educators.
>
> Should we be arguing about the $155 value of CHES certification fees
> required by NCHEC to maintain a quality process? I believe their
> administrative costs are pretty lean and, because of highly dedicated hard
> working volunteer representatives, have a pretty smooth low cost
> operation.
>
> I think we should be raising hell with our professional organizations,
> pushing them to do more to "enhance the value of the CHES." This pressure
> to move on this should come from outside the coalitions and outside NCHEC.
> It takes letter writing and phone calls from the membership.
>
> It takes money and muscle to educate, and the professional organization
> have
> those resources and should be using it for the professional, not for the
> organization. Take a look at "administrative costs" of running the
> organization. Are they the same folks purporting to support these efforts,
> and then complains that the "resources are simply not there" to do so.
>
> Don't lose heart! There are some wonderful examples of state led efforts,
> such as the Great Lakes Chapter, Society of Public Health Education
> (Michigan), that promotes the profession, helping to prevent "everyone
> and
> their mother think[ing] they can be a health educator." By participating
> in
> such groups you can contribute to enhancing the value of the CHES.
>
> Please note that I am not writing this to attack professional
> organizations.
> These organizations have done much. It is, however, the time to take
> things
> to the next level is long overdue. It seems to me that many health
> education professionals, leaders in these organizations, either stymied by
> the organization's bureaucracy, or by their wait and see nature (late
> adopters?), have chosen to wait and see, or stall on the idea of marketing
> and promotion! How many more health education positions need to go to
> non-CHES or non-professionally prepared "health educators" before we take
> action to stop or prevent it?
>
> Don't give up: "If you think you¹re too small to be effective, you have
> never been in bed with a mosquito."
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Michael
>
> Michael Pejsach, Ed.D., CHES
> Life&Health Enhancement Services
> Health Behavior Change Consulting
> 5101 W. Esplanade Avenue
> Metairie, LA 70006
>
------------------------------
#729
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 12:54:17 EDT
From: Carol Parks Bani <Cparksbani@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: health education/ Course Announcement
**
** Improve the Profession-Join AAHE
** http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm
**
** Hey!!! Send the HEDIR Your Picture...
** http://www.hedir.org/people
**
I have worked with David Hilton in the past on this workshop and HIGHLY
recommend it. It will transform YOU!
Carol Parks Bani
=====================
------------------------------
#730
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 23:39:38 -0700
From: William Cissell <WCissell@VENUS.TWU.EDU>
Subject: Change of Contact Information
**
** Improve the Profession-Join AAHE
** http://www.aahperd.org/aahe/template.cfm
**
** Hey!!! Send the HEDIR Your Picture...
** http://www.hedir.org/people
**
HEDIRs Who Care (I presume there to be at least a few.)
I am currently back at my ol' stomping ground. My visiting professor
contract at Jackson State University finished June 30 of this year. My
second summer contract at Texas Woman's University (Department of Health
Studies) begins July 15. I will miss the frequent contact with Jackson
State University and Mississippi-based friends and colleagues, including
some very fine students, with whom I interacted this past year. I will take
great pleasure in renewing the frequency of contacts with friends and
colleagues with whom I worked prior to going to Mississippi. I will also
take great pleasure in the frequency of contacts with new friends and
colleagues whom I am bound to meet in the coming year in Texas.
My contact information is:
William B. Cissell, MSPH, PhD, CHES (listed in the order received)
Professor of Health Studies
Texas Woman's University
P. O. Box 425499
Denton, TX 76204-5499
Phone: 940-898-2861 Fax: 940-898-2859 email: wcissell@twu.edu
Adios Amigios!
Guillermo
------------------------------