The Relevance of Health Education to Health Activation and Self-Care.

Contemporary medical care is a valuable but incomplete approach to health. The individual is coming to be recognized by many providers and consumers of health care alike as the primary health care resource, and individual behaviors and lifestyles are now recognized as the principle determinants of health. A new trend toward health activation is emerging which emphasizes self-care and self-help. This movement is transforming the traditionally passive patient into an active, informed and effective participant in health care and health promotion. The recent interest in programs designed to enhance self-care skills is extremely relevant to health education in the schools and the community. The prime justification of health education has traditionally been one of promoting individual responsibility for generating and maintaining health. Integration of health education concepts and strategies with health activation programs may have an overall effect of enhancing health in the United States.