Public health education is an essential service offered by Ontario County Public Health. The World Health Organization defines health as a “state of complete physical mental and social well-being “. It is so much more than the absence of disease. Similarly, health education is much more than providing information about these important human dimensions.

Health education consists of developing programs and strategies that are designed to change people’s beliefs and behaviors in ways that promote increased physical, mental and social well-being. This includes programs that increase the overall quality of life of people who are generally healthy; other programs that can prevent specific illnesses before they ever occur, and still others that help those who are already ill to maximize their quality of life in spite of their illnesses.

One public health professional put it this way: “Isn’t it better to build a fence at the top of a cliff than to fund more ambulances to pick up the people who fall off the cliff without one? Public health education attempts to be that fence — it is one way among many to prevent adverse health outcomes with knowledge and skills. Prevention is power!

Health Educators - Do you need help in designing a program to present to you group? Download files that may be helpful to you in designing your presentation.

Smoking/Tobacco Cessation

 

Substance/Alcohol Abuses

For more information please call 585-396-4343 or 1-800-299-2995 or contact us by email.