Health Career: Health Educator
Who are health educators and what do they do?
Health educators plan and lead presentations to teach people about diseases. They try to improve the general health in communities by informing people about important topics like pollution, drug abuse, nutrition, safety and stress management. They also create and write educational brochures and reports and prepare grant proposals to get money from private businesses and the government to finance their work.
How do health educators typically spend their workday?
Health educators visit community agencies, businesses and schools to deliver educational presentations in front of groups of people. You will also spend time researching and developing these presentations. For example, you may teach factory workers about how to protect themselves from pollution in the workplace; you may inform teenagers about how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases; or you may teach patients who are recovering from a heart attack about how to live healthy lives by incorporating exercise and healthy food choices into their lives.
What does it take to be a good health educator?
Health educators are basically great teachers. To be an effective health educator, you should enjoy leading presentations and working with people. You should also be energetic, organized and have good communication skills.
What are some health-related jobs that are similar to that of a health educator?
Art/dance/drama/music therapist, health sciences librarian, health writer/editor, medical social worker.
Related links and helpful information:
- Librarian & Health Educator Resources
- Health Careers Center – Health Educator
- American Public Health Association
- Society for Public Health Education
