Encyclopedia of Public Health | Health Educator

A health educator informs people about the causes and prevention of health problems, especially those that relate to lifestyle, work, and cultural factors. Health educators help people to improve their health through consulting, education, and community-planning strategies. They may conduct a "community diagnosis" to assess health issues in an entire community, and then plan a way to improve problem areas. Health educators are employed in various public settings, including public health departments, worksites, community organizations, and government settings. Credentialing information and an outline of the roles and responsibilities for health educators are available through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

JON JENNEY

(SEE ALSO: Association of Schools of Public Health; Careers in Public Health; Community Health; Health Promotion and Education)