This book presents an international perspective on health education and specifically the influence that context has on this aspect of education. The focus includes both formal and non-formal health education and the factors that impact upon its effectiveness, particularly in non-Western and non-English-speaking contexts (i.e., outside the UK, USA, Australia, NZ, etc.). An important feature of the book is that it draws upon the experiences and research of local experts, representing the perspectives of an extremely diverse cohort across the world (22 countries and 2 regions in total). The book addresses topics such as: the development and implementation of health education in different countries; the influence of political, cultural, societal or religious mores; governmental or ministerial drives; economic or other pressures driving curriculum reform; and the influence of external assessment regimes on health education. By embedding discussions of health education in local contexts and representing a diversity of perspectives on this important topic this book highlights both barriers and enablers to improving health education across the globe.

Preface and Overview; Health education in context: An overview, and some observations; Pacific; Whole school approaches to health promotion: The Pacific journey; Middle East and Gulf; Health education in the Sultanate of Oman: Towards sustainable health for students; Health education through extracurricular activities in Lebanon: Process and challenges; Europe; Health education in Portuguese schools: The contribution of the health and education sectors; The possibility of health education in an education-based society: The case of Hungary; An overview of formal and non-formal health education in Turkey; Education for healthy lifestyles in the European north of Russia: Developments and dilemmas; The role of education in preventing diseases: A case study from Poland; Lifting the lid on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Malawi; Medical research in South Africa: Education and ethics; The development of the school health policy and curriculum in Nigeria; The child-to-child curriculum in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania): Strengths, challenges, and weaknesses; Health education in Ethiopia: Practices, challenges, and prospects; The status of health education in Namibian schools; Environmental problems and their impact on peoples health: The Nigerian context; South Asia; Promoting healthy ageing: Experience from tea estate communities in Sri Lanka; Educating Indian children about the impact of climate change on health; Health education in primary schools in Pakistan: Perils and promises; Health and sex education in India: The collapse of a policy; East Asia; Malaysian traditional knowledge and herbal gardens: Informal education on plant resources for health; Supporting health education in Thai contexts: Conceptualizing and evaluating the change; Priorities for health education in Hong Kong in relation to non-communicable diseases; Working towards a healthier Brunei; Integration of Health Education for Sustainable Development: Sabahs Initiatives; Mental health education andtraining in Vietnam: The role of clinical psychology; Health education in China (19782010): Challenges and reforms; Conclusions and Implications; The influence of context on health education: Observations, conclusions, and recommendations.