Public Health Education and Health Promotion
Public health education and promotion aims to advance knowledge of public health measures and implement the most effective strategies for health promotion. The goal of public health education and promotion is to strengthen public health infrastructure and systems. It is based on the premise that educating the public, policymakers, and workforce professionals is fundamental to ensuring an effective public health system.
have become valuable and distinguished credentials for professionals involved in public health education.
Eligibility to take the CHES examination is based exclusively on academic qualifications. Specifically, applicants must possess a bachelor degree or higher and at least one of the following:
A degree in health education, such as:
School health education
A degree in another area of study, along with at least 25 semester hours of coursework with specific preparation that addresses the seven areas of responsibility and competency for health educators
Applicants must possess the following to qualify for the MCHES credential:
At least 5 years as a CHES; or
A master's degree or higher in health education, public health education, school health education, community health education, etc. and at least 5 years of documented experience as a health education specialist
A master's degree in another area, along with at least 25 semester hours of coursework in the seven areas of responsibility of health education specialists and at least 5 years of documented experience as a health education specialist
Both the CHES and MCHES designations are valid for a period of 5 years.
Who Provides Public Health Promotion and Public Health Education? Jobs in Public Health Education and Promotion
Public health education and promotion is a large, interdisciplinary field that includes professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some of the most recognizable careers in public health education and promotion include:
Public Health Nurses
Public health nurses (often also called community nurses) are registered nurses who educate the public about health and safety-related issues. These nursing professionals are responsible for assessing health and safety issues that affect specific communities or populations and administering healthcare services and advocating for healthcare improvement.
More information on public health nursing and the necessary requirements to become a public health nurse can be found here. (I thought we'd link to the public health nurse information on the Medical Practice piece).
Public Health Educators
Public health educators are responsible for teaching people about behaviors that promote wellness. These public health professionals are also responsible for developing and implementing strategies for improving the health of specific communities and populations.
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Public health educators may go by a number of professional titles, such as:
Health promotion specialist
Community health consultant
Community health education coordinator
Health and wellness coordinator
Public health educators may work directly with the public, for healthcare organizations, for community/non-profit organizations, or for government agencies, among others. They may also work in private business, academia, and for medical practices.
Their job duties, although they likely vary based on the setting in which they work, often include:
Developing and presenting health education programs, such as training workshops, conferences, and community/school presentations
Partnering with agencies and organizations focused on public health care
Developing educational materials and programs for public health. government, and community agencies
Preparing and distributing health education materials that address contemporary public health programs, such as smoking cessation, vaccinations, and maternal and infant health
Public Health Consultants
Public health consultants design and adapt public health programs that are aligned with global health policy and standards. These professionals oversee health impact assessments, which are designed to identify the potential health impact of a project on a specific community or population.
Public health consultants are also called upon to provide public health consulting, education, epidemiology, and food safety services before, during, and after a public health emergency or crisis.
Public health nutritionists coordinate and implement nutrition policies and programs for health department programs, such as the nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These public health professionals may also design and carry out educational programs in the general community to promote good nutrition.
Public health nutritionists have extensive knowledge of food and nutrition, policy, and the improvement of the health of populations.
Their work involves understanding how food-related public policies affect health, particularly in vulnerable populations; the ways in which programs can improve the nutritional status of a specific population or community; and how social, behavioral, and food/nutrition-related factors affect health.