[Health_Education_Promotion] FW: PRESS RELEASE: Hawaii passes legislation in support of Health Education Specialists

[Uebel Lesli L]

A big high five to Hawaii for taking the lead here!  Does anyone know of other states that have done this?

Lesli


Lesli Leone Uebel, MPH, CHES
Reproductive Health Program
Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 370
Portland, OR  97232
Phone:  (541) 757-5155
Turn Misconception into Contraception with CCare at ccare.oregon.gov



From: NCHEC [mailto:nchec at nchec.org]
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2013 1:41 PM
To: lesli.l.uebel at state.or.us
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Hawaii passes legislation in support of Health Education Specialists


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HAWAII PASSES LEGISLATION IN SUPPORT OF
HEALTH EDUCATION SPECIALISTS



For Immediate Release - May 2, 2013

Contact: Melissa Rehrig, NCHEC                                Celena NuQuay, SOPHE
mrehrig at nchec.org<mailto:mrehrig at nchec.org> 888-624-3248 ext. 11                   cnuquay at sophe.org<mailto:cnuquay at sophe.org>  202-408-9804



WASHINGTON - The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) and the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) applaud passage of Hawaii State Resolution HCR 161/SD 1 as a first step in determining whether health education specialists should be regulated and licensed in the state of Hawaii.



Sponsored by Hawaii State Representative Ryan Yamane (D, House District 37) and Hawaii State Senator Jill Tokuda (D, Senate District 24), Senate Majority Whip, the legislation calls for forming a working group to determine the scope and specific duties of the health educator profession.  The group's report will be provided to the Hawaii Legislature and Hawaii State Auditor as a basis for determining professional licensure in the state.



Health educators, often referred to as health education specialists, have formal training and education to work with individuals, groups and communities to promote their health and safety or recover from illness. "Health education specialists play a vital role in educating patients and consumers about their health and promoting organizational policies that support healthy behaviors," says Elaine Auld, MPH, MCHES, Chief Executive Officer of SOPHE.  "Given new opportunities with the Affordable Care Act, Hawaii has taken laudable steps to optimize opportunities for wellness and protect the public from incompetent practice."



Resolution HCR/161 SD 1 calls for convening experts who are familiar with the background, credentials, and education requirements of health educators and who are able to provide information about their duties for licensure in the state.  The working group will be comprised of various representatives from state government, academia, and health care institutions throughout Hawaii.  Findings of the working group are expected to be provided to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2014.



 "The inclusion of the nationally recognized CHES and MCHES certifications in licensure requirements will contribute to the health of the residents of Hawaii," says
NCHEC Executive Director, Linda Lysoby, MS, MCHES, CAE.  "Licensure of health education specialists will provide minimum standards, ensure qualified professionals deliver health education services, and recognize health education as a skilled profession."



Chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, consume more than 75 percent of the $2.2 trillion spent on health care in the United States each year.  Spending $10 per person on proven preventive interventions could save the country over $16 billion in just five years.  This legislation will help ensure that patients, families and consumers are not harmed or put at risk by misinformation or advice on disease prevention or treatment.



In addition to NCHEC and SOPHE, Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) Department of Health Sciences and the Coalition for National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO) were instrumental in providing testimony to support passage of the resolution. HPU's baccalaureate degree in health sciences includes courses in health promotion and wellness management, health education, epidemiology, health policy analysis, and a wide variety of other health-related subjects.  Graduates work in health-related jobs in government agencies, community based organizations, schools, health care facilities, or worksites throughout the Hawaiian Islands.



About NCHEC
The mission of NCHEC is to enhance the professional practice of Health Education by promoting and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists.  To meet this mission, NCHEC certifies health education specialists, promotes professional development, and strengthens professional preparation and practice.  Our charge is to develop and administer a national competency-based examination; develop standards for professional preparation; and promote professional development through continuing education for health education professionals.  Currently, there are over 10,500 active Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES) practicing health education nationally and internationally.  For more information visit www.nchec.org<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001a2gCTzeBoYyVEBCwdFpXDj5IHUoZmx6irVRmzglyRroSersWYQka-Ja2sXr26yf6NnF-u096H8CRuOzZ60gYOkUdH9yp6laH9DTY--iPyes=>



About SOPHE
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a non-profit professional organization founded in 1950 to provide global leadership to the profession of health education and health promotion and to promote the health of society.  SOPHE's 4,000 international and chapter members work in various public and private organizations to advance health education theory and research, develop disease prevention and health promotion programs, and promote public policies conducive to health.  For more information, go to www.sophe.org<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001a2gCTzeBoYx-7aJCJ7RtVjiGuI7wVykUHweWQeo8cQMvtckiAOLYteEF1yIPE_J4iafCxEyc2DUi0vUOBaQ0r6ylRpRb0eiBUYQDg8wsLo4=>.

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