THE ROLE OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN THE PREVENTION OF NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent an important public health problem and are associated with modifiable risk factors, such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, and overweight. In this context, health education is a relevant strategy for promoting self-care, preventing health problems, and adopting healthy behaviors. This study aimed to analyze the role of health education in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, considering its contribution to expanding knowledge, health literacy, behavioral change, self-care, and reducing risk factors. This is an integrative literature review with a qualitative and descriptive approach. The search was conducted in the PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, using the descriptors and keywords “health education,” “noncommunicable diseases,” “prevention,” “health promotion,” “health literacy,” and “behavioral change,” combined using the Boolean operators AND and OR. Articles published within the last ten years, in Portuguese or English, addressing health education and the prevention or reduction of risk factors for NCDs were included. Duplicate studies, articles unrelated to the research topic, and publications focusing exclusively on pharmacological treatment were excluded. Health education plays an important role in NCD prevention by contributing to knowledge, health literacy, autonomy, self-care, and the adoption of protective behaviors. However, its effectiveness is enhanced when combined with follow-up strategies, goal setting, monitoring, and social support, while also considering social determinants and the living conditions of the population.