The science of Health Education uses a combination of biological, environmental, psychological, physical and medical sciences to establish the promotion of good health practices that result in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Health Education is promoted at the individual, community, institutional and national level where policies are created and filtered down to the general population. By doing so, healthcare officials hope to be able to positively influence the health standards of individuals and communities. In doing so, they address issues such as HIV Aids, teen pregnancy, immunization, smoking, heart disease, hygiene and vector control diseases.

Duties of a Trained Health Educator

The health educator is of vital importance to the maintenance of good health care within a society. These individuals may be from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Some of their duties include:

• Conduct assessments of the community’s health needs
• Design, plan and implement health care programs that are sensitive to their location
• Identify resources and write grants
• Develop marketing campaigns that stimulates the interest of the public
• Promote healthy lifestyles in their community

Types of Online Degrees in Health Education

Online degrees in Health Education span the entire spectrum of the tertiary education system. This is in order to increase the knowledge and awareness of employers of the health system about the role they play and the health issues that affect the society.

Online Health Education degrees are available from accredited online universities starting at the Associate level where students are introduced to the basic science of heath care education. During the Associate degree in Health Education, students cover subjects such as human health, fitness, teenage pregnancy, nutrition, sex and drug addiction.

The Bachelor degree in Health Education brings more propagation and leadership skills into focus and combines them with the basic health care issues covered in the associate degree program. As a result, coupled with the issues of general health care, students pursue courses in leadership, computer technology, health and society theory and development of Health Education programs.

At the postgraduate level of the degree in Health Education, students will specialize in both the promotion and management of Health Education systems. This Master degree qualifies students for leadership roles in health care centers, schools, nonprofit organizations and government. Students participate in various research activities that focus on health communication, exercise physiology and business administration. At the end of the degree, they must produce a concise review of their research as their dissertation and defend it before a dissertation committee.

Career Outlook in Health Education

Graduates of an online degree in Health Education have a rewarding future ahead of them. The reward of online Health Education graduates comes two fold because they are compensated financially and by the gratitude shown by members of the community they serve. The continued expansion of Health Education by the Department of Health also creates many openings at both the junior and senior level of the health sector. Average salaries for graduates of an online degree in Health Education fall around $50,000 per year.