Chapter 2 THE HISTORY OF HEALTH & HEALTH PROMOTION

1. It is important for health education professionals to understand the history of health promotion because it helps the professional to see the impact that the profession has had on individuals, communities, and societies over the years. One cannot fully appreciate the emerging profession without studying and understanding its origin. It is fascinating and important to understand that the profession youre involved with is responsible for a majority of the success for Americans living longer and healthier. We can build on these successes. Conversely, there has been mistakes made and thus, lessons learned. If we study the past we will most likely learn from those mistakes and not repeat them. The two best examples that demonstrate the evolution of health promotion are Hippocrates and the example left by the Romans. Hippocrates was so influential because he looked to the theory of balance as the result of health and imbalance as the cause of disease. This was a much more rational explanation for health and disease than religion and priests. Hippocrates also was observant and recognized that other factors also influence health, such as, geography, climate, diet, and living conditions. You could say that Hippocrates was before his time with this thinking because it seemed to all fall by the wayside during the middle ages. Unlike the barbarians of the middle ages who conquered and decimated cultures the Romans conquered but left in tacked apposing cultures and invested time and effort to learn from them. The Romans learned many new things regarding health and medicine and serve as a great example for us today and any other society who takes time to learn from the past and others. 2. The purpose of Healthy people 2020 is to help increase the overall health of the American people. Healthy people has science-based objectives that address 42 topics to accomplish this. The vision, mission, and goals help guide health practice and health education specialist from 2010 to 2020. This is significant because it gives direction and focus on scientific-based areas practitioner and educators should emphasize. These The overarching goals do not just state to improve health but also

address, a high quality of life, longer life, eliminating disparities, and creating better social and physical environments that encourage health. I have two topic areas that interest me the most, and they are: educational and community-based programs and nutrition and weight status. Educational and community-based programs goal is to, Increase the quality, availability, and effectiveness of educational and community-based programs designed to prevent disease and injury, improve health, and enhance quality of life. (http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=11) This area is important because it reaches more people than just the health care setting. It reaches schools, worksites, and communities. This area was essential to meeting the healthy people 2010 objectives. I like the opportunity this area presents with being able to teach a myriad of topics in various settings. I am also drawn to the nutrition and weight status area. This areas goal is to, Promote health and reduce chronic disease risk through the consumption of healthful diets and achievement and maintenance of healthy body weights. (http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=29) This area is important for various reasons. Nutrition and weight is linked to overall health status and emphasis in this area results in the reduction of many health conditions such as: 1. Overweight and obesity 2. Malnutrition 3. Iron-deficiency anemia 4. Heart disease 5. High blood pressure 6. Dyslipidemia (poor lipid profiles) 7. Type 2 diabetes 8. Osteoporosis 9. Oral disease 10. Constipation 11. Diverticular disease 12. Some cancers These two areas will continue to be some of the primary areas of emphasis because they will have the greatest impact on the most people.

3. The health care reform movement has affected health promotion by putting much more focus on prevention and prevention services. The new focus will have a positive output for overall health with the American people, whether you agree with the reform or not. The reform will also improve access to these services by lifting cost barriers. The idea of this reform is to create a culture shift. Help the American people move from the medical intervention mind set to a prevention mind set. This reform will create many more opportunities for jobs and earnings in the health promotion field. In 2013 the prevention and public health fund will receive 1.25 billion dollars. That is unprecedented and will happen again in 2014, and 2015. With the new emphasis this should also give greater credibility to the emerging profession and influence over the people with whom practitioners work.