Making "Cents" of Whole Health: Affordable, Accessible, and Authentic Health Education for Everyone
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Authors
Florez, Nicole D.
Issue Date
2010
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Holistic health philosophies and practices are often seen as unaffordable and inaccessible for financially struggling and low-income populations and sometimes viewed as indulgent and elitist. Biomedical or "optimum wellness" definitions of health are eschewed in favor of a salutogenic approach that seeks to promote an individual's sense of coherence (SOC), generally defined as that which moves people toward health on the disease/health continuum. The current health landscape is explored within this context and emerging whole health movements addressing solutions are identified. An integral framework for empowering clients to access whole health on limited means and a model for health educators to help connect clients to their internal and external resources and create health are presented. Building upon previously identified roles of holistic health educators as allies, agents of the change process, and creators of consciousness around life issues and behavioral struggles, holistic health educators are encouraged to develop a new role as resourceful connectors. As a "resourceful connector," the health educator can be the nexus where clients unearth and apply their internal and external resources. Three key activities of the resourceful connector role in partnering with the client to achieve meaningful change are (1) asking the right questions, (2) knowing the community resources, and (3) customizing strategies for health creation.