Good health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It means the proper functioning of the physical parts of the body, chemical reactions inside the body, and the harmonious functions of the body.
Health Education is treated as a distinct subject of study in teacher preparation programmes in our country. It is a specialized branch of knowledge and is the concern of the specialists. Though the teachers are not supposed to be experts in this field, they are expected to possess working knowledge of health-related matters so as to be able to guide young boys and girls and the community members on health attitudes, habits, practices and even suggest ways and means to overcome general health problems.
We all need experiences which will influence our understanding, attitudes, habits and practices relating to the individual, family and community health. Doctors, nurses, teachers, health visitors and social welfare workers have important roles to play in educating people about matters relating to health. Several formal and non-formal educational programmes relating to health matters have been conducted in schools, and many public campaigns have been launched through mass media and community meetings, but glaring gaps exist between the required health standards and the existing state of health of our people. This book attempts to fill those gaps by orienting the prospective teachers towards the key aspects of health and physical education.
The book will be extremely useful to the students and teachers of Health Education. It will immensely benefit common readers by inculcating in them sustainable health practices and saving them from ill health, maladies and communicable diseases.
M. Dash, M.A. (Psychology), M.Ed., D.P.T.T. (Edinburgh), possesses a brilliant academic record in two disciplines—Education and Psychology. He started his professional career as a lecturer and rose to become principal, and deputy director. He has put in 32 years of service during which he held several senior positions.
Dash has written a number of books which have been prescribed by various universities for graduate, postgraduate and B.Ed. students. His thesis on MLC in EVS has been published by Moray House College of Education, Edinburgh as a discussion document for overseas students.
He has participated in a number of workshops, seminars and training programmes organised by NIEPA, NCTE, NCERT and UNICEF. He received the “Jewel of India” Award in the year 2002 being selected by the International Business Council, New Delhi.
Neena Dash, M.A. (Education), M.Phil. (Medalist), Ph.D. is a senior lecturer in Education at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab). She is the author of the book Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs and co author of three books entitled Fundamentals of Educational Psychology, Essentials of Exceptionality and Special Education and Teaching English as an Additional Language. Her books have received overwhelming response from the readers.
