A Health Educator...

...is professionally prepared and possesses knowledge and skills based upon theories and research to promote health education behavior change in individuals and populations.  Health Education draws from various sciences to promote health and prevent disease, disability, and premature death.

Health educators provide information on health and health related issues.  They can assess health training needs and plan health education programs.  They may specialize according to specific health concerns, illnesses, or work or training setting.  Health educators may work as independent consultants or in health departments, community organizations, businesses, hospitals, schools, or government agencies.  Health Educators often: 

• Perform health training needs assessments.
• Design and develop health education programs.
• Publish health education materials, information papers, and grant proposals.
• Develop health education curriculum.
• Teach health in public and private schools.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,

• 5 out of 10 health educators work in health care and social assistance and an additional 2 out of 10 work in State and local government.
• A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for entry level jobs, but many employers prefer to hire workers with a master’s degree.

For specific information on average salaries and the outlook of jobs in the future for health educators, go to  http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos063.htm