ABSTRACT
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic, a multifaceted crisis, affected all dimensions of human health, necessitating a multifaceted intervention to direct and modify public behavior.
Purpose
This study aimed to explore the role of health education in achieving this goal during the pandemic.
Methods
We conducted a Rapid Narrative Review using a quantitative lens to evaluate the impact of health education research and modeling in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. Five databases – PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, SCOPI, and MEDLINE – were searched for articles published from 2019 to 2022.
Results
Throughout the pandemic, Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) have been pivotal, dynamically adjusting their roles to the evolving situation. Their contributions can be divided into three main phases: the initial outbreak, the vaccine development period, and the post-pandemic recovery stage. The Health Belief Model (HBM) emerged as the predominant theory employed to encourage preventive behaviors.
Discussion
In the face of global threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic, health education is a critical ally to other medical and clinical disciplines, providing vital leadership and guidance.
Translation to Health Education Practice
This study provides valuable insights for health educators, helping them select more effective models and strategies for their intervention programs.
Acknowledgments
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Iranian National Congress of Health Education and Health Promotion for accepting this study for presentation and inclusion in their 2022 lecture schedule.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethical considerations
All authors have adhered to rigorous standards of data entry, analysis, and reporting, maintaining objectivity and minimizing bias. The research has complied with ethical guidelines and fulfilled the legal requirements of the country of study.