Educating for Health Advocacy in Settings of Higher Learning

Abstract

This chapter explores the benefits of formal health advocacy training in higher education settings for a variety of stakeholders, including the individuals who engage in such professional training, those on whose behalf they act, and the broader healthcare arena in which they operate. Section 1 explores the history and purpose behind educational health advocacy programs. Section 2 highlights the specifics of two successful educational advocacy programs - their evolution, structure, student body composition - and outlines the method underscoring the themes, models, and theories explored in the curricula. Section 3 uses case studies to demonstrate key themes in advocacy education. The concluding section addresses challenges and lessons learned from our experiences of educating for advocacy and our vision for the future of health advocacy education.

Note: Please note that tables 18.1 and 18.2 have been redacted from this submission at the request of the publisher.