Health Educators

Formulate one new comment of your own. It must be a logical and thoughtful response that synthesizes the comments of at least 3 classmates into one comment. Be sure to synthesize; do not simply reply to each of the 3 classmates. Health Educators must protect patients from harm and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The Healthy People 2020 objectives strive to improve the health of Americans in many different ways. Based on the core ethical expectations, Health Educators are obligated to respect the principles of honesty, autonomy, beneficence, and justice, respond truthfully about their qualifications, respect privacy and confidentiality, are conscious about cultural diversity, and communicate with colleagues when unethical practices are suspected (National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, n.d.). Health Educators develop numerous strategies and goals to promote healthy practices among individuals of all ages, starting from adolescents up to adulthood. Assessing the needs and resources, planning and implementing, evaluating, and advocating health promotion are just a few roles Health Educators play in improving health (Walden University, 2019). Healthy People 2020 objectives, such as physical activity and nutrition, can be advocated through Health Educators in health classes. Health-related promotional programs will also be available to communicate via social media, in-person lectures, or posters and billboards. It is essential that Health Educators promote the Healthy People 2020 objectives in ways that everyone can understand to improve health for all. References: National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. (n.d.). Code of Ethics. Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.nchec.org/code-of-ethicsWalden University. (2019, November 13). What Are the 7 Areas of Responsibility for Health Educators? Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/health/resource/what-are-the-seven-areas-of-responsibility-for-health-educators.I, do think health educators so their part in striving towards the achievement of Healthy People 2020. They aim to connect the educational phases and strategies needed to educate health professionals and the public to achieve a healthier nation. They start to approach prevention and population health education as early as preschool and throughout graduate school. This is to instil healthy habits at a young age (Riegelman, 2011). I believe they are obligated just by the bylaws of their core ethical expectations, ethical practice expectations, the responsibility to the public, profession, employers and delivery of health education/promotion. It outlines the educational objectives to promote and discuss the needs of society and individuals. They hold diverse values, attitudes, and opinions and have a responsibility to engage in supportive relationships that are free of exploitation in all professional settings (NCHEC, 2020). This allows people to feel comfortable expressing their concerns when seeking help in a judge-free environment. Healthy People 2020 strive each decade with the main objective to improve the health of Americans using the leading health indicators. They encourage collaborations across communities and sectors, empower individuals towards making informed decisions and measure the impact of prevention activities (HP, 2020). With both Healthy People 2020 and NCHEC striving towards the same goal they are obligated by their ethical code to improve health across the U.S. Health Educators are obligated to do their part in striving toward the achievement of the Healthy People 2020 objectives.  Health Educators play a crucial role in almost all the objectives.  The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing states under Article II: Ethical Practice Expectations, Section 1. That Health Educators have a responsibility to the public, and further states “Health Education Specialists are responsible for educating, promoting, maintaining, and improving the health of individuals, families, groups, and communities”. These folks are the “change-makers” for the Health People 2020 objectives.  Whether Health Educators are teaching school-age children on the about hand hygiene, oral health, growth and development, sun safety and skin cancer prevention, or benefits of rest and sleep…Or educating communities on ways to reduce the proportion of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke.  Both of these examples are Healthy People 2020 objectives Educational and Community-Based Programs and Tobacco Use (Healthy People 2020, n.d.) and fall in line with the Health Educators Code of Ethics.