Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify career pathways in health education.
• Discuss the professional preparation for each.
• Understand the skills needed for success.

Lesson summary

This lesson explores the exciting and vital field of Health Education. In Ghana, we face various health challenges, from communicable diseases like malaria and cholera to non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Addressing these challenges requires more than just doctors and nurses in hospitals; it requires skilled professionals who can teach individuals and communities how to prevent illness and promote wellness. This lesson will open your eyes to the diverse career opportunities available in Health Education and provide a clear roadmap on how to prepare for them, starting right here in SHS.

Lesson notes

A. What is Health Education?

Health Education is not just about telling people to "eat well" or "exercise." It is a professional field that uses evidence-based practices and theories to help individuals, groups, and communities acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours. Health Educator: A professionally prepared individual who serves as a resource to help people make better health decisions. They don't diagnose diseases, but they teach people how to prevent them. B. Key Career Pathways in Health Education and Their Professional Preparation

Here are some major career pathways in Health Education, with a focus on the Ghanaian context. For each, we will discuss the professional preparation required. Community Health Educator / Health Promotion Officer What they do: These professionals work directly with communities. They work for the Ghana Health Service (GHS) at the district or community level, for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) like the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), or for international bodies like USAID-funded projects. They design and run health campaigns on topics like sanitation, maternal health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and nutrition. *Example:* A Community Health Educator in the Bongo District might organise durbars to educate mothers on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Professional Preparation: SHS Subjects: A strong foundation in Biology is crucial. Chemistry, Food and Nutrition, General Knowledge in Art (GKA) (for communication material design), and Social Studies are also very helpful. Tertiary Education: Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) with a specialisation in Health Promotion. B.Sc. in Community Health or Health Sciences. Diploma in Community Health from a College of Health and Well-being (e.g., Kintampo, Yamfo). *Ghanaian Universities:* University of Ghana (Legon), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), University of Cape Coast (UCC). Key Skills: Excellent public speaking, interpersonal communication, empathy, community mobilisation skills, and fluency in local languages. School Health Coordinator / Teacher What they do: They work within the educational system (from basic to tertiary) to promote the health and well-being of students and staff. They might teach health education as a subject (like this one!), manage the School Health Education Programme (SHEP), coordinate health screenings, and create a healthy school environment. *Example:* A SHEP Coordinator at an SHS might organise a "Handwashing Day" event or train peer educators to talk about menstrual hygiene. Professional Preparation: SHS Subjects: Physical Education, Biology, Home Economics (Food and Nutrition). Tertiary Education: Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER). B.Sc. in Health Education or Public Health, followed by a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) if they wish to teach professionally. *Ghanaian Universities:* University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and UCC are the primary institutions for training teachers in this field. Key Skills: Teaching and facilitation skills, good rapport with young people, programme planning, and first aid knowledge. Corporate Wellness Specialist What they do: This is a growing field in Ghana. These professionals work for private companies (e.g., banks, telecommunication companies, mining firms) to keep employees healthy. They design programmes to reduce stress, encourage physical activity, provide nutrition counselling, and manage workplace health risks. *Example:* A Wellness Specialist at MTN Ghana might organise a "Wellness Week" with health screenings, fitness challenges, and mental health seminars for staff. Professional Preparation: SHS Subjects: Biology, Physical Education, Economics, Business Management. Tertiary Education: A degree in Health Promotion, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Public Health. Sometimes, they have a background in Human Resource Management with additional certifications in wellness. *Ghanaian Universities:* While direct "Corporate Wellness" degrees are rare, degrees from UEW (HPER), UG (Public Health), and KNUST provide a strong foundation. Key Skills: Strong organisational skills, business acumen, communication skills, ability to analyse data (e.g., employee health statistics), and discretion. Health Communications Specialist What they do: These are the storytellers and marketers of public health. They work for the Ministry of Health, GHS, NGOs, or media houses. They create health-related content for radio, TV, social media, and print. They design clear, compelling messages to inform the public. *Example:* A Health Communications Specialist might develop the jingle and posters for the GHS campaign on COVID-19 vaccination. Professional Preparation: SHS Subjects: English Language, Literature-in-English, GKA (Visual Arts), Social Studies. A science background (e.g., Biology) is a major advantage. Tertiary Education: Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies (with a health focus), Public Relations, or Journalism. A degree in Public Health with a strong portfolio of communication work. *Ghanaian Universities:* Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), University of Ghana (School of Communication Studies), KNUST. Key Skills: Excellent writing and verbal communication, creativity, graphic design skills (or ability to work with designers), social media savvy, and understanding of behavioural science.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Evaluation guide

• Discuss professional preparation of career pathways in Health Education
• Explo
• ratory Learning: Listen to a presentation by a resource person about how to
• prepare for various career pathways in Health Education