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What does a health educator do?

Health educators work with individuals, organizations, and communities to bring about behavioral and environmental changes that foster good health. They apply theories and principles of behavioral and social sciences to design, organize, implement, communicate, and evaluate the effects of education programs and strategies related to health behaviors of individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

What might a health educator do in a workday?

Health educators:

Health educators may specialize according to a health concern, illness, or work setting.

How much does a health educator earn?

How do I become a health educator?

Students interested in becoming health educators should take the most challenging high school courses available in English, science, speech, and math. They should seek accredited undergraduate- (bachelor’s degree) and graduate-level programs in health education and public health.

Certified health education specialists also must pass a written exam. Special licensing is required for health educators who become classroom teachers.

Where else can I learn about becoming a health educator?

American Public Health Association
800 I Street N.W. / Washington, DC 20001
tel:  (202) 777-2742 (APHA) / web:  www.apha.org

Virginia Public Health Association
2415 Westwood Avenue / Richmond, VA 23230
tel:  (804) 767-7230 / web:  www.vapha.org

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
1900 Association Drive / Reston, VA 20191-1598
tel:  (800) 213-7193 or (703) 476-3400 / web: www.aahperd.org

Society for Public Health Education
10 G. Street, N.E., Suite 605 / Washington, DC 20002
tel:  (202) 408-9804 / web:  www.sophe.org

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Health Educators: