Government attitudes to health education: a crucial factor in effective action

The author argues that health education, which he defines as dealing responsibly with information about health, cannot effectively cover large groups of population without government support. Community action, both through individuals and groups, and social action of a more organized nature are among the key forces that have an impact on improving health: it is the government's responsibility to provide an administrative and legislative framework that is supportive of such action. Other government responsibilities include: (a) recognition of the role of voluntary agencies and facilitating their participation; (b) sharing information about health and the health consequences of certain practices and behaviours with the entire population, and (c) financial responsibility in developing a policy for health promotion. For the author, the most important form of government is local government which calls for effective participation from within through political elections and administrative processes. Current trends indicate that decentralization, in many countries, is more than lip-service. Such a process has important health implications and is also a major aspect of government support of health education and health promotion. Non-involvement of government in health education is impossible today and a health oriented policy can provide an essential and even crucial framework for community and social action for health.