Readiness of Public to Manage Own Health Care

Abstract

Health education, what is it all about? The professionals define health education as any sequence of learning opportunities or experiences that, as a consequence of achieving a voluntary change in behavior, culminates in better health. The key is to recognize that those matters pertinent to one’s health come under one’s personal control, and that one can make a judgment to change behavior leading to better health. The movement has roots back to 2000 BC. For our purposes, the roots of the health education movement in the United States surfaced late in the 19th century with well-baby clinics and health volunteers, and in the early 20th century with hygiene programs.