Health Education

Linda Charping, MEd, RHEd*, Health Education Director
Kaye Thompson, Health Educator
Tricia Stauffer, MPH, Health Educator

1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 692-4223

Health Education addresses the health and wellness of Henderson County residents by providing services that educate and inform residents on various health-related issues.

*For more information on becoming a Registered Health Educator, contact the North Carolina Board of Registry for Health Education, Inc.

Health Promotion & Wellness

Health promotion is dedicated to prevention and the belief in educating and encouraging residents to learn more about their own health to maintain healthy and productive lifestyles. Examples include serving on local committees and coalitions that address smoke-free environments, promoting development of walkways and trails, and advocating for healthier food options in schools and the community.

• Cardiovascular Health
• Smoking Cessation
• Freedom From Smoking (American Lung Association)
• Tobacco Free for Life (TFL)

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Maternal & Child Health Education

Maternal & Child Health Education covers a range of concerns and interests of pregnant women, new mothers, and children.

• Injury Prevention
• Prenatal/Parenting Classes
• Prenatal/Parenting Web Sites
• School Health
• Smoking Cessation for Pregnant Women

Injury Prevention 

Child Passenger Safety
The Department of Public Health periodically receives free car seats for families in need. We are also a resource for assisting parents in locating free or reduced price infant and booster seats. We have trained staff who can assist in the proper installation of car seats and provide information to parents.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Safe Kids

Safety Packets
Safety packets containing home safety items and educational materials are given to new mothers who receive prenatal care at the Department of Public Health. Nurses review the materials with the patients in their homes and assist them with installing safety items when necessary.

Prenatal/Parenting Classes 

Prenatal/parenting classes are offered periodically for current Department of Public Health patients or individuals receiving Medicaid who wish to be enrolled in the Maternity Care Coordination program. The classes cover prenatal and newborn care; breastfeeding; labor and delivery; and smoking cessation.

Prenatal/Parenting Web Sites 

• Baby Center: Baby, Pregnancy, and Infant Guide
  
• Childbirth.Org
  
• Prepare Tomorrow's Parents
  
• Pregnancy and Parenting
  
• Pregnancy Channel

School Health

Health Educators are available to provide instruction to students on subjects such as:

• personal hygiene
• teen pregnancy prevention & abstinence
• responsibilities of teenage parenting including the "Empathy Belly" pregnancy simulator

Smoking Cessation for Pregnant Women

The Department of Public Health offers one-on-one smoking cessation counseling for pregnant women as a part of the prenatal care service. The counseling follows the First Step Curriculum guide, Counseling Women Who Smoke.

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Resources

We can provide schools and community organizations of Henderson County with educational resources available through the Department of Public Health.

DVDs can be reserved free of charge, and brochures can be requested by contacting the Health Education section.

Individual speakers may be contacted to schedule specific programs. Call (828) 692-4223.

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