The Health-Grant University: a comprehensive national health education plan

Although the need for universal and better health education has been recognized, no nationwide comprehensive program has been established. Consequently, we are proposing founding a national program of statewide health education networks, comparable in some ways to the Cooperative Extension Services of Land-Grant and Sea-Grant Universities. One institution in each state would qualify for designation as the State Health-Grant University, and all other public and private colleges located throughout the state would be encouraged to appoint one faculty member to serve as the health educator for the corresponding service area. Each health educator would receive an adjunct appointment at the health-grant university and would be required to participate in special training sessions and to master progressive health education strategies. The health educator would link the academic world and the community, educating the community about health and disease prevention and the significance of lifestyle. By catalyzing and coordinating efforts with teachers, ministers, nurses, physicians, business leaders, and others, the health educator would make an important contribution to the community. By addressing disease prevention and health maintenance, the Health-Grant University Program would strive to motivate the community to achieve greater individual health initiatives, while helping develop skills for personal health management and providing access to needed health services. Federal legislation would be required to create a national commission to coordinate the program, but community volunteers would make the program cost-effective and self-sustaining.