The power of peer health education

Abstract

Peer education on college and university campuses has grown from self-educated students responding to campus health issues to state-of-the-art health education and motivational models designed to empower students to help each other promote positive health beliefs and behaviors. Peer education models come in many paradigms and often represent the best use of campus resources for specific needs. Model peer education efforts are based on carefully trained and closely supervised programs that ensure continuing quality improvement. Health educators are now exploring more comprehensive training and delivery models that encompass the complex nature and relationship, among risk behaviors, life skills, and the social pressures that have an impact on students' lives. Future peer education possibilities will involve many facets of college life created by people who care and believe that prevention is the essential component for empowering future leaders on both a personal and professional level.