National Health Education Week
October 21, 2019
National Health Education Week is October 21-25 of 2019!
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) has prided themselves in celebrating this event since 1995. The goal of this week is to raise awareness of the importance of health education. By educating the public, awareness regarding preventable diseases (diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, et cetera) will increase. As a result, people will be better versed on health issues, and they will practice healthier lifestyle habits.
National Health Education Week was first established in 1953 by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) under President Eisenhower. From there, the Social Security Act (which was established in 1935) provided funding for local health departments. The funding of local health departments is crucial to health education.
There are several ways that you can observe National Health Education Week. For starters, you can be an advocate. This means that you reach out to local, state, and/or federal officials and tell them why health education is important to you. If funding is increased for local health departments, then health education will become more established and more beneficial. Another way you can observe this event is to spread the word! Talk to your friends and family about the importance of health education and what you can do to help. The last way you can observe this event is to get a checkup! Stay in tune with your body and your health. Notice when things change and be proactive about your health.
For more information on National Health Education week, click here.