Health Education - The Importance and Exigency of Health Education

Image Credit - famhealth

Introduction:

In ancient times, health education was concerned almost exclusively with health instructions, to impart health knowledge, in the hope that such knowledge will lead to better health. But now, we accept the very fact that health knowledge doesn’t necessarily result in health. It can only happen when knowledge is put into practice that it becomes useful.

The modern approach to health education in schools and colleges, therefore, is to adopt all the possible measures which will lead the pupils to develop not only health knowledge but also health habit. To have a proper understanding of health education, we should always know the views of varied eminent scholars as well as educationists.

In the present age, everyone uses electronic things. It is called the push-button age or the electronic age or space-age but if we have a look on the other side, we can say that the present age is the polluted age. This age of pollution has been telling upon the health of people and ‘health’ is one among the main objectives of Physical Education.

Principles of Health Education:

Image Credit - shutterstock

1. The programs of health education should be according to the interest, attitude, required health status, and environment of children, so that they could get proper knowledge, and could implement the required knowledge effectively in their day-to-day life.

2. It’s been observed that practical knowledge is more beneficial. So, such programs of health education should be launched, within which more and more children could participate personally. There shouldn’t be a, pick and choose method so that everyone should get the opportunity to participate in health education programs.

3. The programs of health education should not be limited to schools, but these programs should be made available for parents, so that they could also pay proper attention to their wards, regarding health care.

4. The programs related to health should be educative, interesting, and recreational. In such programs, people will have a keen interest. If health education is imparted interestingly then it will have a beneficial effect on the minds of people. They will be health-conscious.

5. The programs of health should be constructed, keeping in view the physical, mental, social, and spiritual conditions of students.

6. Every child has some specific traits. So there should be such programs of health education during which every child could grasp something.

7. Programs health education programs should be prepared according to the age and sex of the students.

8. The strategy of imparting health education should be clear and straightforward.

9. Health education should be imparted through maps, films, photographs, and charts.

10. Good habits of children should always be appreciated through films so that children could mend their ways.

Purpose of Health Education:

Image Credit - rcsdk12

Generally, it is understood that health education's objective is to provide knowledge to the children and persons regarding health, whereas, health education's real objective is to provide a healthy environment and to develop good behavior and healthy habits among persons, and children. 

For attaining this objective, the focus should be laid down upon the following points given below:

1. To make a healthful environment in schools.

2. To lay stress on the practical aspect of health-related habits.

3. To make provision for inspection of children related to health.

4. To provide health-related instruction to children.

5. To provide knowledge in detail about communicable diseases.

6. To supply knowledge regarding first aid and safety care measures of accidents.

Importance of Health Education:

Image Credit - healthblog.uofmhealth

It is a tough proven fact that education is the only way through which we come to know the hidden powers of the students. Education is responsible for the physical and mental development of the students. 

Laying stress on the importance of health education, Swami Vivekananda said: "This Atma isn’t attainable by a weak man". Moreover, the welfare of a country depends upon the health of its citizens/pupils.

If the citizens of a country are healthy, that country is short to make the apex mark in every facet of life. We have a ton of examples within the history of sports, where health was considered a very vital part of life. 

Many people achieved the highest mark in various fields and enabled their country to win laurels and glory at the international level.

Therefore, Emerson says: "The first wealth is health". If health is so precious asset then the education of health is, indeed, more important because health awareness can be kept or maintained if we get proper education regarding health.

Conclusion:

Image Credit- depositphotos

Thus, health is a matter of great concern, which affects not only each one of us as an individual but also the society in which we live. If a person does not keep themselves fit or healthy, he cannot enjoy his life nor can an ailing society play its proper role in the world. 

Hence, it can be concluded that health is vitally significant for all of us and perfect health for all is the ultimate goal of every society.

Written By - Priyanka Jain

Edited By - Daniel Deepak Charles