IMPACT OF HEALTH EDUCATION STRATEGIES ON CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has become a significant global public health challenge. Health education strategies are emerging as a fundamental approach to preventing these conditions by promoting the modification of risk behaviors and the adoption of healthy lifestyles. This integrative review aimed to evaluate the impact of educational strategies on the prevention of NCDs, considering the effectiveness, duration, and clinical outcomes related to these interventions. The review covered studies published between 2010 and 2023, focusing on different types of interventions, such as community programs, educational campaigns, and the use of digital technologies. The results indicated that educational strategies can result in significant changes in health behaviors, such as improved diet, increased physical activity, and smoking cessation, with a positive impact on the reduction of clinical risk factors. However, the effectiveness of interventions depends on factors such as the duration of the program, the personalization of approaches, and the inclusion of psychosocial components. Despite the promising results, challenges persist in implementation, mainly related to participant adherence and variability in assessment methods. It is concluded that health education plays a crucial role in the prevention of NCDs, and that it is necessary to implement integrated public policies that consider the particularities of each population.