The planned and organized process of investing in education to achieve improvement in health of a population.
It involves consciously constructed opportunities for learning intended to facilitate changes in behavior toward a predetermined health goal.

Health education is one aspect of health promotion. It is to be found in schools, in workplaces, in health care premises, and as part of community health services. It involves the use of mass media and may include the use of educational methods to change the knowledge and influence the attitudes of professionals and policy makers. As much learning takes place in informal settings, people working in health education may be found working with youth groups, community organizations, and television, radio, and press journalists. Techniques may include written educational materials or participatory approaches that include theatre, song, and dance.
Health education and the broader field of health promotion are now a standard and important part of any system of health services and are increasingly subject to assessments of their investment value.

Adapted from World Health Organization. Terminology. A glossary of technical terms on the economics and finance of health services. Internet. Accessed December 18, 2015.