Although clichéd, the proverb, ‘Health is wealth’ holds true for ages to come. Yes, wealth can provide you the happiness of a luxurious living, but without a healthy mind and body there is not much you can do to earn yourself the wealth you desire.
What are the areas community health education deals with?
It is with this motto in mind that community health centres began in the first place. Community health focuses their attention on community health education. They look to providing solutions for the health needs and concerns of a particular geographical area. Community health education ensures that awareness about different diseases is spread so as to prevent these and also helps improve the accessibility to health care resources among the community. Community health education is beneficial in a number of ways such as –
1. Diseases – Community health education focuses majorly on the spread and treatment of diseases. The diseases they focus depends on the geographical area and the season. For example, water-borne diseases shall be the prime focus during monsoons. health education plans revolving around getting polio shots, flu shots and other vaccines are also carried out by community health centres.
2. Obesity – Obesity is a common subject targeted by community health education. The education focuses on the nutritive diet as well the exercise parts of it. Health education regarding obesity is classified according to age groups as well; where the harmful effects of obesity are taught to children while the senior citizens are taught how to stay fit at their age.
3. Sexual health – Sex education and health is a major topic covered under community health education. Here, topics such as family planning, sexually transmitted diseases and safe sexual practices are dealt with. Health education on these topics helps prevent some major diseases such as AIDS, herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Community health education helps spread awareness about these and many other topics including environmental health. As such, community health education can play a major role in shaping a health-conscious society.
