Health Education is the Correct Answer
The Ministry of Health should use health education (Option C) to change public knowledge, feelings, and behavior for good control over health determinants.
Rationale for Health Education
Health education is specifically designed as a planned strategy to modify knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to health determinants. The fundamental purpose of health education is to achieve behavioral change through educational and information methods, making it the primary tool for influencing public knowledge, feelings, and behaviors 1.
Core Components of Health Education
Health education operates through a comprehensive process that directly addresses the question's three domains:
- Knowledge change: Health education provides information and improves health literacy, enabling populations to understand health risks and protective factors 2, 3
- Feelings/attitudes modification: Educational interventions work to change emotional responses and attitudes toward health behaviors, moving beyond simple information provision 1, 4
- Behavioral transformation: The ultimate goal is sustained behavior change through structured educational interventions that address day-to-day health concerns 5, 2
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
Active surveillance (Option A) is a disease monitoring system that collects data but does not directly change public knowledge, feelings, or behavior [@general medical knowledge].
Screening (Option B) identifies disease or risk factors in asymptomatic individuals but does not inherently change knowledge, feelings, or behavior patterns [@general medical knowledge].
Vaccines (Option D) provide biological immunity against specific diseases but do not address the broader determinants of health through knowledge, attitude, or behavioral change [@general medical knowledge].
Evidence-Based Framework for Health Education
The 2024 ACC/AHA guidelines emphasize that addressing health determinants requires "making health a shared value" and "health promotion and illness prevention" through educational approaches [@1@, @3@]. The Sustainable Health Agenda specifically prioritizes "health promotion and illness prevention" as the first goal for achieving health equity 2.
Effective Implementation Strategies
Modern health education must incorporate multiple channels [@7@]:
- Traditional media (TV, radio, public transportation advertisements)
- Digital platforms and mobile applications
- Community-based educational initiatives
- Tailored messaging for specific population groups
The educational process should be structured and planned [@12@]:
- Assessment of target population needs
- Development of specific behavioral objectives
- Implementation of evidence-based communication strategies
- Evaluation and follow-up of educational interventions
Critical Success Factors
Health education is most effective when it [@11@, @14@]:
- Addresses social and environmental determinants, not just individual behavior
- Includes informational, behavioral, political, and economic components
- Recognizes the political character of health and disease
- Connects to people's day-to-day concerns about their lives
Trust and credibility are essential [@9@]:
- Government health agencies (like CDC) maintain high public trust for health information
- Health professionals are among the most trusted sources for health guidance
- Collaborative approaches between institutions and communities enhance effectiveness
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Do not rely solely on fear-based messaging [@15@]: Traditional approaches using fear as an educational technique are less effective than positive, empowering messages.
Avoid victim-blaming approaches [@11@]: Health education that locates problems solely within individuals without addressing broader social determinants can be counterproductive and increase health inequalities.
Ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness [@6