Deck 16: Career Choices and Socialbehavioral Theory in Public Health: a Brief Introduction

Question 1

What roles do academic institutions play in terms of social and behavioral theory in public health?

Answer 1

The art and science of preventing the diseases, promoting health, and prolonging life through organized efforts along with the informed choices of communities are referred to the public health. The public health intervention focuses on improvement of the health and quality of life.
Academic institutions often have a significant involvement in social and behavioral theory as academic settings play a critical role in developing social and behavioral theories with the help of analysis and research. Evaluation of the success of theory-based interventions is also judged.
Academic institutions are also involved in the evaluation of programs along with methods used for evaluation. Additionally, academic institutions teach and train students who will eventually take forward the practice of public health.
Adults and public health practitioners have also provided training with the help of various seminars and presentations. Academics can play a very crucial role in training public and private organizations for a larger effect.

Question 2

What are some key reasons knowledge of social and behavioral theory is useful across a range of public health careers?

Answer 2

It is noted that having fine understanding and knowledge of social and behavioral theory and its applications is considered significantly beneficial as it is applied to the variety of public health careers. This is because when theoretical knowledge is rightly connected to the real world situations and people it ends up providing logic to the intervention under study.
Additionally, when a program is designed and implemented with theory at its base, the result, hence obtained always allows for a significant evaluation as the theory always points out what should change and hence what has to be evaluated.
Many programs these days are developed on the evidence base. There are varied career paths where social and behavioral theory plays a significant role, such as:
1. Government or public agencies
2. Non-profit organizations
3. Private organizations
4. Academic organizations
5. Healthcare Providers

Question 3

In what way(s) would a government or public agency staff member use theory?

Answer 3

A rational and a contemplative type of abstract are known as the theory. Theories are classified as the analytical tools, which are used for making predictions, explanation, and understanding about a given subject.
A government or public agency staff member usually spreads and manages funds that are provided for addressing a particular health condition. Applications are invited from non-government organizations to develop, implement and evaluate programs.
The grant announcements that are made by the government or public agencies clearly explain the rationale of the program, the activities involved, and funds availability. The theoretical approach is increasingly used by government or public agencies to develop these grant announcements.
Program heads and officers generally make these decisions. Selection is done on the basis of a rating that is, which organization offers the best plan at the best price with the necessary capabilities. Public agencies also take on policy work that is based on approaches like communication strategies and ecological model.

Question 4

What are some examples of the use of theory in the private consulting field?

Question 5

From the point of view of a private business (a company), why would it be useful to have someone with a grounding in theory and application for the company wellness effort?