• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.75-97
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• 2006

This study assessed 1) the coverage of the entry-level responsibilities and competencies for certified health education specialists (CHES) developed in the United States (U.S.) by 140 current health education-related professional preparation programs in Japan, and 2) barriers and concerns related to the development of Japanese health educators. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted to Japanese professors teaching health education-related courses at 4-year universities/colleges in Japan. All entry-level CHES responsibilities and competencies were generally covered to different degrees by the study respondents. The top 3 responsibilities most emphasized by the respondents were Responsibilities I, related to need assessment skills, Responsibility II, related to planning health education programs, and Responsibility III, related to implement health education programs. The 3 competencies most frequently covered by the respondents were related to needs assessment skills (Competencies 1-3). The competencies least covered by the respondents were those related to Responsibilities V (Competencies 1619). Other competencies related to role modeling, cultural competencies, and planning youth health education programs, were recommended. In addition, the major concerns and opinions that the respondents reported for this topic pertained to 1) Professional training, 2) The need for well-defined professional roles, and 3) The importance of licensing. The results suggested that Japanese health education-related programs cover all CHES responsibilities and competencies developed in the U.S. to different degrees. However, they tend to focus more on needs assessment, planning and implementing health education programs. Although possible responsibilities for future Japanese health educators were recommended, further research to identify the most appropriate responsibilities and competencies for this profession is needed. Major barriers, concerns and opinions reported by the respondents should be discussed at future meetings for this profession.