Making health education and health promotion resources

It has been shown that the most effective education for health resources are those which have been developed locally. Making resources will be more successful if:

• the materials are made with the involvement of interested local people and health staff
• the materials are pre-tested (evaluated) by a small group of local people before being distributed

Often the best way to approach the development of a resource is to organise a work-shop. The health team will have a chance to look at issues and problems together with interested local people. The workshop can provide an opportunity for discussing the underlying causes of the problems as well.

Health education messages should:

• make people wake up and listen
• make people think 'this message is for me'
• be clear, so that people understand
• make people want to do what the message says (Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services 1989)

Evaluating health education and health promotion resources

There are a number of things to think about when choosing or making health education and health promotion resources. The following checklist may be a useful evaluation tool.

• Is the information accurate and up to date?

• Is the resource suitable for the target group?
• Does it give information that people have asked for?
• Is it culturally acceptable? Will it upset or offend anyone?
• Can the target group understand the message?
• Will anyone outside the target group be upset or offended by it?
• Does it make the person feel like it's 'talking' to them personally?

• Is the resource eye catching and interesting to look at?
• Are the diagrams/photos/images clear in what they are trying to say?
• Are the photos or images acceptable to people in the community?
• Is information well presented?
• Are written words large enough to read easily?
• Does the resource use language, words and images people can understand?
• What is the language? Can people read/understand it?
• Does it use straightforward words and sentences?
• Does it use many technical words?
• Are the ideas explained clearly?
• Are pictures, diagrams or images suitable and clear?

• Is the message or purpose clear?
• Does it give clear directions to the reader or viewer?
• Is the message put in a positive way?
• Are there any conflicting or hidden messages that might confuse people?
• Does it seem to persuade the person to do something?

• Is it worth the money you spend on it?
• Can you afford to buy it or make it?
• Do you need extra funds for it?
• Can you share the cost with anyone else in the community or anyone else in THS?
• How many copies are needed, or how many times will you be able to use it?
• How long will it last?
• Has another community got the resource? Can you borrow it from them? Can you adapt it?

Aboriginal Health Education Resources Database

The Aboriginal Health Education Resources Database provides information about useful health education resources which have either been designed specifically for Aboriginal people, or could easily be adapted to use with Aboriginal people. The database can be found on the THS Intranet in 'Public Health'.

The database provides information about where to get the health education resources which may suit your needs. There is also a list of contacts in each program area who can help you with information and delivery of your public health program.

Print copies of the database are available from your local Health Promotion Unit, where a collection of the resources is also held. The collection is available for viewing.