This document discusses the philosophy of health for health educators. It states that a philosophy of health is formed through life experiences and evolves over time, serving as the foundation for how educators view health and educate others. The document also examines definitions of health, including factors like genetics, behavior, environment, and access to healthcare services that influence individual and community health. Finally, it explores approaches to health education and promotion, emphasizing the need for behavior and environmental changes supported by short and long-term goals to encourage sustained healthy lifestyle modifications.

1. A philosophy of health is how a health educator views the world and environment around
them. It is the building blocks of how they will educate in the future. Forming a philosophy of
health is not something that happens overnight. It is formed through various experiences and
events that have happened in one’s life. As a person grows, the philosophy will evolve and be
constantly changing. A philosophy of health forms the basis of reality for the educator. Having
and knowing what your philosophy is will help you enforce the ideas that you believe and shape
the way you see yourself and enact change.
For years, the definition of health has been debated and changed. The World Health
Organization defines health as, “the state of complete mental, physical, and social well-being not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1947, p.1). For all health professionals, there
is either something to add or something to take out of this definition to fit their philosophy. If
your body is absent from disease or infirmity, I believe that you are on your way to better health.
Just because you do not have a disease though, does not automatically qualify you as healthy.
There are many people who are living disease free but do not have a healthy lifestyle.
Many people who are disease free have an unhealthy lifestyle which coincides with poor
mental health and a meager social environment. Along with being disease free, I believe that our
state of health is directly influenced by the five determinants of health. The first determinant of
health is genetics. Some people are predisposed to certain diseases and are more likely to fall ill
at some point in their life. The second determinant of health is individual behavior. When people
engage in unhealthy behaviors of their choosing, they are more susceptible to disease. For
example, the voluntary use of alcohol for long periods of time can lead to chronic issues such as
alcoholism and liver problems that have to be taken care of in the future. The third determinant,
which I think has a heavy influence on healthy behavior, is our social environment. The friends

2. and family that surround and influence us can either allow us to have a healthy or detrimental
lifestyle. They are there to support us and if they promote unhealthy behaviors in their own lives,
we are likely to pick up and develop those habits. In addition, this is affected by a person’s level
of education, their socioeconomic status and household income. Without the right information or
access to it, people will not know what healthy choices are when they are faced with decisions.
The fourth determinant ties in with the third and is where the individuals live. If they live in a
place with no running water or contaminated water, they are more likely to contract a disease.
The last determinant that affects health is the availability of health services to individuals. When
there is no quality health care in the household, such as health insurance, it will be hard to be
treated for diseases as well as have preventative care. With health and health care, everyone is
different and needs individualized attention. By correcting and allowing people equal
opportunity to reach their optimal health, we can reach health equity (Healthy People 2020). All
though there are unmodifiable risks of bad health stated previously, there are many modifiable
ones that we can change and reduce the risk of the unmodifiable risks to create a healthy lifestyle
for the individual as well as communities nationwide.
Health education is an instrument that is used to improve or modify health behaviors of
individuals and in turn, can change their communities. Educators have the ability to influence
and give valuable information, as well as skills, to citizens who are either unsure or willing to
change for the better. It is important for health promotion educators to know how to address
different populations and be courteous of their situations. By having a philosophy of health
promotion, we give another person opportunities to choose an improved lifestyle that will
hopefully continue throughout their life.

3. Just like the definition of health is left unclear and up to the health educator, the same
goes for health education/promotion. There are many methods of how to plan, implement, and
evaluate health promotion projects. Defined Health Promotion is, “any planned combination of
educational, political, environmental, regulatory, or organizational mechanisms that support
actions and conditions of living conducive to the health of individuals, groups, and communities”
(Joint Committee, 2012, p. 18). The goal of educators is to instruct and mobilize individuals to
change to healthy lifestyle choices. For different populations, there are different ways to have the
best influence on the individual or group. I believe that in order to see positive and long lasting
results, there needs to be a change in the person’s behavior as well as their environment. A
behavioral change is not one that comes easy. In addition to long term goals, health educators
need to set foreseeable short term goals which are feasible to the individual. These goals are
necessary because they allow a person to easily see their progress as they shift from their
unhealthy behavior to the healthy alternative which provides motivation to continue. To
encourage continuation and success, there are many who benefit from having other people
around and supporting them. I believe that having moral support and interaction with others
creates an atmosphere of change.
Along with behavior change, it is beneficial to change the environment of those in which
a program is directed towards to allow for easier and more convenient access to healthier
options. Having more fresh markets instead of fast food restaurants or more easily accessible
gyms around the area helps change behavior more rapidly. Ultimately, the change of behavior is
completely up to the individual and their readiness to change but with social and environmental
changes, there is the necessary support for individual change.

4. References:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy People 2020 Draft. 2009, U.S
Government Printing Office.
World Health Organization (WHO). (1947). Constitution of the World Health
Organization.