The place of health education in prophylaxis and prevention of diseases and formation of correct

health behaviors towards different social groups.

Introduction:

Health education as a tool for health promotion is critical for improving the health of populations
and promotes health capital. Yet, it has not always received the attention needed. The limited
interest stems from various factors, including: lack of understanding of health education by those
working in this field; lack of knowledge of and consensus on the definitions and concepts of health
education and promotion; and the difficulty health educators face in demonstrating the efficiency
and showing tangible results of the practice of health education. Of course, there are many success
stories relating to health education, particularly in the settings approach, such as health-promoting
schools, workplaces, clinics and communities. However, where boundaries are not well defined,
implementing health education becomes more challenging.

Health education is a tool whose importance and role in prophylaxis and prevention of diseases
cannot be overemphasized. It is with the aid of health education that both health workers and
service users can know what to do and what not to do in order to improve the quality of life in the
society and by extension, promote health capital. Furthermore, health education is an instrumentum
laboris for helping the society form the correct health behaviours towards individuals,
notwithstanding their social orientation. However, health education has often times been relegated
to the side-lines and not with damning consequences. The WHO in a document for health educators
stated that the limited interest in health education stems from various factors, including: lack of
understanding of health education by those working in this field; lack of knowledge of and consensus
on the definitions and concepts of health education and promotion; and the difficulty health
educators face in demonstrating the efficiency and showing tangible results of the practice of health
education (WHO).

This paper, therefore, is aimed at reintroducing the

Definition of Terms:

What are the Different Social Groups?

How Does Health Education Help Prevent Diseases?

How Does Health Education Help Form Correct Health Behaviours?