Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115503

Gary D. Gilmore, MPH, PhD, CHES, Professor and Director of the Graduate Community Health Programs, University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Extension, 201 Mitchell Hall, La Crosse, WI 54601, 608 785-8163, gilmore.gary@uwlax.edu, Larry K. Olsen, Dr PH, CHES, College of Health and Social Services, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003, Alyson Taub, EdD, CHES, Special Assistant to the Dean & Professor of Health Education, New York University, Pless Hall - Suite 500, 82 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003, and David B. Connell, PhD, Cambridge Research Associates, 7 Jefferson Drive, Acton, MA 01720.

The National Health Educator Competencies Update Project (CUP) addressed the degree to which the existing role definition of the entry-level health educator is still up-to-date, along with the further development and validation of advanced-level competencies. This research has important implications for workforce development. The national research project used a 19-page questionnaire mailed to health educators in six practice settings during 2001-2003, resulting in 4030 respondents (70.6% adjusted response rate). Respondents were from every state and the District of Columbia, resulting in the largest national dataset of its kind, with 1.6 million data-points. Findings from extensive quantitative data analyses coupled with ongoing professional judgment from a National CUP Advisory Committee led to the development of a hierarchical competency-based model with three levels of practice (Entry, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2), seven Areas of Responsibility, and several new competencies and sub-competencies. Similarities and differences between this hierarchical model compared to previous models delineating health education practice will be presented and discussed. Implications for applications of the CUP research will be reviewed, particularly as they impact professional preparation, credentialing, and professional development. The research results are jointly owned by the American Association for Health Education, National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, and Society for Public Health Education.

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