Health frcm the Inside Out: Creating a Personal Health Philosophy
Health frcm the Inside Out: Creating a Personal Health Philosophy
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Issue Date
2015
Authors
Buzbee, Michelle
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Abstract
This paper proposes a framework for health educators to work holistically with their clients to help them move in the direction of greater health by going through a process of creating a Personal Health Philosophy (PHP). The PHP model was developed to help health educators understand the fluidity of the spectrum of health, find the wholeness and the resources present in each individual, and believe the individual is in charge of their own vision of health and possesses the ability to make desired changes. In the implementation phase of the model, health educators assist clients in developing their own personal definition and vision of health, exploring their personal values, identifying their health education needs, creating their own Personal Health Philosophy, and then choosing actions they would like to take that are in alignment with their personal philosophy. This paper first makes the case for why a new approach to health behavior change is needed, including describing the current health challenges facing American adults, the typical health education approach to these health challenges, and why this approach is not working for millions of Americans. Next, the PHP model is described, including four foundations for the health educator to understand, three ingredients to bring to the process (two for the health educator and one for both the health educator and the client), and five steps to follow to actualize the model. Key theories and research that support the foundations, ingredients, and steps of the model are described. The paper concludes with opportunities for using the model as well as challenges health educators may face.