The third full week of October is Health Education Week to promote national awareness on major public health concerns including poor nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, chronic illnesses, tobacco use, and substance abuse. It is also a campaign for a better understanding of the role of health education especially this phase as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health education acknowledges all areas of health and it addresses physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Healthy individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally reduces rates of health risk behaviors and illnesses that will help individuals to spend less money on healthcare services and more productive work hours. Healthier people can also control their actions reducing rates of violence, injury, and stress bringing a healthy, happy, and strong community.

Health education programs and advocacy provided by different health-related associations or settings including schools, health care facilities, non-government organizations, and government agencies play a major role in promoting wellness, healthy behaviors, strong communities, and safer environments for everyone.

The National Nutrition Council get involved in the campaign by promoting proper education on health and nutrition even beyond the National Health Education Week. Throughout the year, NNC provided IEC materials, nutrition advocacies and increase social media engagements to disseminate factual information and promote good nutrition to the public.

Investing time, effort, and money in health education will help and reminds people how important being healthy is and to establish lifelong healthy behaviors that will help the communities to thrive.(NOILaurito/OIC-NPCFlores)

Reference:

https://esperanca.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-national-health-education-week/