Future Trends in Health Education

1
Future Trends in Health Education
2
Health Education

• There will always be change
• No one can predict the future

3
Demographic Changes

• Demographic profiles age, sex, race ethnicity
• Change U.S. population will continue to become
  more diverse.

Race 2004 2020 2040
African American 13.0 14.0 13.7
Hispanic 12.2 16.3 21.7
Native American 0.90 0.80 1.0
Asian/Pacific Islander 4.0 5.7 7.9
Source Pearson Education
4
Demographic Changes

• Change U.S. population will become older.
• Age demographic of 65 is expected to double by
  2030.
• Baby Boomers (those born between 1946-1964).

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Aging Population

• Median Age of Population
• (Cottrell et al., 2009, p. 314)
• 1990 . 33.1 years
• 2000 . 35.5 years
• 2010 . 37.2 years
• 2020 . 37.6 years
• 2030 . 39.0 years

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Societal Trends

• Technology
• Family Structure
• Political Climate
• Medical Care Establishment

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Health Care Reform

• http//healthreform.kff.org/the-animation.aspx

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Views on Health Reform Remain Divided

• As you may know, a health reform bill was signed
  into law early last year. Given what you know
  about the health reform law, do you have a
  generally favorable or generally unfavorable
  opinion of it?

Source Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School
of Public Health The Publics Health Care Agenda
for the 112th Congress (conducted January 4-14,
2011) and Kaiser Family Foundation Health
Tracking Polls
9
One in Five Think the Health Law Has Been
Repealed, Another Quarter Not Sure

• As far as you know, which comes closest to
  describing the current status of the health
  reform law that was passed last year

It has been repealed and is no longer law
It is still the law of the land
Dont know/ Refused
Source Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking
Poll (conducted February 3-6, 2011)
10
Technology

• Informatics
• The systematic application of information,
  computer science, and technology to public health
  practice and learning.
• (IOM, Who Will Keep the Public Healthy, p. 63)
• Electronic medical records
• Computerized health assessments
• Web-based strategies
• Social marketing strategies/communication

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Technology

• Genomics
• Genetics Study of single genes
• Genomics Study of the entire human genome
  including single genes
• Implications
• Therapeutic and preventive strategies
• Ethical and medical limitations
• Legal and social issues

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Future of Professional Preparation

• Become more analytical thinkers
• Increase partnerships collaboration
• Analyze situations examine trends
• Cultural competence
• Multilevel interventions
• Community-Based Participatory Research
• Focus on schools
• More environmental activism

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Cultural Competence

• Cultural sensitivity
• Attitudes of respect and appreciation
• Understanding cultural norms
• Communication skills

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Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

• a partnership approach to research that
  equitably involves community members,
  organizational representatives, and researchers
  in all aspect of the research process. (Israel
  et al., 2001)
• Changing funding practices
• Partners form long-term commitments
• Co-learning emphasized

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Global Health

• Re-emerging infections
• New diseases
• Environmental impact of overpopulation
• Safety of food supply

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Future of credentialing

• Current eligibility for entry-level academic
  preparation
• Sub-special certifications
• Reimbursement of services
• Skills vs content

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Implications for Practice

• School settings
• Children learn the best when healthy
• Better coordination of services
• Special skills may be needed
• Worksite
• Health promotion/education seen as fringe
  benefit
• Higher productivity reduced costs

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Implications continued

• Community / Public Health
• Large variety of work
• Monitor and improve health of population
• Collaborative work effort
• Advocate for policies
• Health Care
• Variety of facilities
• Necessity for quality care

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Alternative Opportunities

• Postsecondary institutions
• Health care journalism
• International health education
• Sales
• Long-term care
• Consultant opportunities

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Health educators.

• Will have amazing opportunities
• Need to constantly update their skills
• Play a major role in keeping populations healthy
• Collaborate with other professionals
• Advocate for those who do not have a voice