The National Health Educator Competencies Update Project (CUP), conducted during 1998-2004, addressed what health educators currently do in practice, the degree to which the role definition of the entry-level health educator is still up-to-date, and the validation of advanced-level competencies. A 19-page questionnaire was sent to a representative sample of health educators in recognized practice settings in all states and the District of Columbia. A total of 4,030 health educators participated in the research (70.6% adjusted response rate) resulting in the largest national data set of its kind, with 1.6 million data points. The model derived from the research was hierarchical (7 areas of responsibility, 35 competencies, and 163 subcompetencies), with three levels of practice (Entry, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2) differentiated by degrees earned and years of experience. The findings affect professional preparation, credentialing, and professional development.
This research measured the effects of a violence prevention curriculum on the knowledge and attitudes of seventh grade health education students (N = 239
A brief overview of the six-year National Health Educator Competencies Update Project (CUP) research is provided as an introduction to a discussion of applications of the resulting CUP Hierarchical Model. Considerations for application of the model to the professional preparation, credentialing and professional development of health educators are explored. In addition, examples of the applicability of the CUP Hierarchical Model to three different work settings are presented at the Entry, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 levels of professional practice. The benefits of being guided by a validated practice model are discussed with implications for future research endeavors.
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