In less than 100 years, the American population has gone from acute, infectious disease as the major cause of death to one caused by lifestyle behaviors. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, among others, cut across all populations as major contributors to death and disability. Resulting substantially from improper diet, lack of exercise, substance abuse, stress, accidents, and pollution, Americans are now dying by how they live. While communicable diseases remain a concern, chronic diseases currently account for more than 50% of all premature death in the United States. However, with appropriate educational interventions, many of these problems can be prevented or controlled. Likewise, education can play an important role in preventing or controlling the spread of certain communicable diseases.

The HAHS mission focuses on providing programs that encourage individuals to protect, maintain, and improve their levels of health and fitness, and to enhance their overall quality of life. Health education specialists view optimal health as a multi-faceted state involving physical, social, emotional, intellectual, vocational, environmental, and spiritual dimensions. They endeavor to provide individuals and groups with the information and motivation necessary to make informed decisions concerning lifestyle and personal health behavior. Rather than attempting to solve health problems one by one, health education specialists stress the importance of designing, implementing, and evaluating programs in different settings, as well as emphasizing accurate information, periodic assessments, and self-responsibility for personal health status.

The Community Health Education Program offers a comprehensive professional preparation concentration that meets the diverse needs for health education specialists in a variety of settings such as public schools and colleges, public and voluntary health agencies, professional organizations, hospital health promotion centers, government agencies, and corporate and commercial wellness centers. To meet this diverse need, the program offers the following option: A Bachelors of Arts in Physical Education with a concentration in Community Health Education. The Department strives to graduate individuals possessing a thorough knowledge of the field combined with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in a technological society. Graduates of the program are professionally prepared to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist certification credential - the recognized standard in the field. The UNCW preparation program also prepares students for entry-level positions in local, state, and federal health agencies, and makes them competitive for study at the graduate level.

For more information, please contact the HAHS Interim Health Program Coordinator: Dr. Melody Kyzer