AIM OF HEALTH EDUCATION

Aim of health education is to help people deal with their health problems and to achieve good health as much as possible by their own actions and efforts.Health education should begin,therefore,with people as they are with whatever interests they may have in improving their living condition and should aim at developing a sense of responsibility for their own health as individuals and as member of families and communities.One must remember ,however ,that health is only one of the elements in the general welfare of the people and that health education is only one of the factors in improving health and social conditions.

It is nevertheless,indispensable and must be linked with economic,social,other health and general education efforts.

PURPOSE OF HEALTH EDUCATION-

1.To make health a valued individual and community asset.

2.To help individuals learn how to carry out the activities they must undertake as individuals or in groups to deal with health problem and to promote the development and proper use of health services.

Obviously health education in a broad sense is carried on by a variety of people,not just educational specialists.Among them are parents,teachers,friends,fellow workers, physicians,nurses,members of Peer groups and numerous others.

It is clear that health education is a complex activity in which different individuals and organisations play a part and that a constructive balance must be achieved and maintained among these diverse elements if the objectives of health education are to be attained.

Importance of health education-

1.It provides information about health and hygiene.

2.It helps in discovering physical defects.

3.It promotes desirable health habits.

4.It helps in maintaining norms of good health.

5.It improves human relations.

6.It provides first-aid training.

7.It provides knowledge regarding prevention and control of diseases.