philosophy of health position

HE 385

Philosophy of Health & Health Education Position Paper (50 POINTS)

The following questions are meant to guide you on the development of your philosophy of health and health education. Consider all the questions, and how you might arrange them to provide a solid narrative about your philosophy of health and health education. You need not answer all the questions, but “A” level papers will tackle the main bullet points with a strong leading statement, evidence or examples or explanation to back up that statement, and smooth transitions to the next section. “A” level papers will also have a strong introduction and conclusion. This should be a stand alone document that you would provide to a hiring committee so they could learn more about you personally and professionally as it relates to health and wellness education.

The content of your paper (at least two, but no more than three pages double-spaced) will summarize your personal & professional beliefs about and approaches to:

· Health in general

· What is health? Wellness?

· How do you approach health as a concept and as a lived experience?

· What does healthy mean to you? Your family? Your community?

· Health education

· Why do you want to be a health educator?

· What is your mission as a health educator?

· How do you plan on living your health education mission?

· How will you approach educating others about health and wellness?

· How do you plan to deal with adversity?

· The Learner/Client

· WHAT do you believe should be taught;

· HOW should it be taught; and

· HOW should the content be adapted to meets the needs of diverse learners?

· How do the beliefs of your profession differ from your personal beliefs?

· If they don’t, how does that help or hurt your professionalism?

· If they do, how does that help or hurt your professionalism?

· How does this impact your ability to be a community health worker?

Resource:

2007 SOPHE Presidential Address: Discovering a Philosophy of Health Education. http://heb.sagepub.com/content/34/5/718.abstract

Dr. DeWitt’s Cover Letter (see email and/or Moodle)