[Health education. Educational approach to change]

There is currently a widespread interest in health education and a need to better understand the bases of the educational approach to health problems. This paper examines therefore some concepts and methods underlying health education work. It is important that health education objectives are closely related to the effects of human behaviour (what people do for their health) on health outcomes. One can, for example, identify health behaviours which are consequential to health promotion, disease prevention and health care utilization. They provide a focus for educational interventions. Secondly, the strategy of health education is based on the assumption that health practices (or their underlying factors) are subject to change through educational and information methods. This health education is essentially a process of change through education and may involve a more general process of educating the public for health, or a more specific attempt at modifying particular health practices. Applying health education to health problems requires an understanding of the communication process and its components. A number of characteristics which may facilitate or hinder communication are discussed. Finally, health education is more than a services of unstructured influences on people's behaviour. It is a planned strategy involving several stages of change. Also, to be fully effective, health education interventions should be integrated in health programmes and services together with other public health mesures.