Health Education and Promotion at UBC

Judith Prat, B.Ed., M.A.UBC Wellness Centre

Student Health Service

Health Promotion

Facilitates and supports positive health behaviour through organizational, environmental, political and economic forces enabling individuals & communities to increase control over the determinants of health.

Epp, 1986 (Health Canada)

Determinants of Health

1. Biology & genetic endowment2. Health services3. Education 4. Income & social status5. Employment conditions6. Social & physical environments7. Social support networks8. Gender9. Culture10. Personal health practices & coping

skills

Statements about Health Promotion

“No clear coordination and comprehensive vision of health promotion in BC that sets it apart from prevention and illness care.”

BC Coalition for Health Promotion

“ We can do all the lifestyles teaching we want but unless people have the resources little will change.”

19th annual International Health Promotion Conference

Individual Change vs. Community Capacity to Change

• unhealthy lifestylesunhealthy lifestyles vs.vs. unhealthy living/ unhealthy living/ working conditions working conditions

• individual interventions individual interventions vs.vs. collective collective mobilizationsmobilizations

Adapted from Adapted from Ronald Labonte, Canada Research Chair,Ronald Labonte, Canada Research Chair, Globalization/Health Equity, Institute of Population HealthGlobalization/Health Equity, Institute of Population Health

What UBC is doing …What UBC is doing …

Health Education Program Planning

Wellness Centre

1. Needs assessment 2. Program development3. Implementation4. Assessment & Evaluation

Health Practices &

Coping Skills

Planning & Evaluation go

Hand-in-hand

Know your context & mandate What outcome does program seek to

accomplish? What interim objectives are required to

produce outcomes? What activities will achieve interim

objectives? What resources are required? Ask, “How will you measure success?”

Organizational Context

S tu de n t D e ve lo pm e nt & S e rv ices

C lin ic W e lln e ss C e n tre N u rse s in R es

S tu de n t He a lth S erv ice

1. Needs Assessment

BC/Canada Health Data (2003 - 2006):• Obesity not improved in past decade• Excessive drinking worsening (in 31%

fatal accidents)• STIs on the rise (1496/100,000 chlamydia

in females 20-24 yrs. old)• Depression increasing (~ 1/8 Canadians)

UBC Health Data (NCHA – Undergrads, 2006)

* Context - With negative impact on grades:

• 28% not getting enough sleep (5/7 days)• 20% exp. relationship difficulties• 20% experienced depression• 43% too overwhelmed to function (3+

times) • 7% males, 14% females exp. anxiety• 13% considered suicide

2. Program Planning

Gather resources and support Recruit & train Wellness Peer

Educators Provide supportive climate Facilitate, coordinate, and supervise Build in assessment methods (e.g.,

impacts on: knowledge, skills, attitudes or stages of change)

Personal Health Practices & Coping Skills

• Knowledge• Attitudes (values, beliefs)• Skills

> Behaviour change> Cultural shift

3. Implementation

A - AdvertiseB - BudgetC - Construct (event, logistics,

facilitate peer involvement)

D - DebriefE - Evaluate

Why Peer Education?

• Characteristics similar to target group; can help to change campus culture

• Commitment to helping and professional development

• Flexibility to work in different settings and times

30-40 Wellness Peer Educators 40,000 UBC students

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

4. Assessment & Evaluation

What can you assess in Health Education delivery?

Knowledge Skills Attitudes (e.g., intention to change)

Workshop Assessments Based on Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes

100%95%

83%

94%92%

72%

84%

97%

85%

96% 96%

75%

0%

67%

84%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Love YourBody

Cut theCravings

Drugs &Alcohol

Beat theStress

SexualHealth

Workshop

Perc

enta

ge S

tatin

g a

Cha

nge

Knowledge

Skills

Attitudes

2006 - 07

Visit the Wellness Centre!

SUB basementwww.students.ubc.ca/health/wellness