Education for health is designed to empower people to make informed decisions rather than encourage people to comply with the wishes of health professionals. Education for compliance often tends to be disempowering. When not done well it may keep control with the health professionals rather than the people themselves (Wass 1994:42).
Giving people health knowledge is a fundamental part of education for health. However, education for health is not the same thing as health information. Correct information is certainly a part of education for health, but education for health must also address the other factors that affect health behaviour. These include:
Education for health is the process by which values and attitudes are explored, decisions are made and actions are taken. Appropriate education for health activities enable people to take more control over their own health, and those factors which affect their health, including their physical and social environment.