Which of the following is NOT an objective of health education?

Answer Details

Health education is the process of providing individuals and communities with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to make informed decisions about their health. Its recognised objectives include:

• Promoting healthy behaviours and habits (e.g. regular exercise, balanced nutrition, hygiene)
• Providing accurate health information so people can make evidence-based choices
• Developing positive attitudes toward personal and community health
• Preventing disease through awareness and lifestyle modification

Diagnosing medical conditions is NOT an objective of health education. Diagnosis is a clinical function performed by trained medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists. It requires physical examination, medical history, diagnostic tests, and clinical judgement, none of which fall within the scope of health education.

Health education empowers people to recognise symptoms and seek appropriate medical help, but it does not equip or authorise them to diagnose diseases. Confusing health education with clinical diagnosis is a common misconception. Health educators teach prevention and health promotion; healthcare providers diagnose and treat.