By Stephanie Thornton, Contributing Writer
Ever wondered how society is living longer but not healthier? If you’re someone who enjoys health care
without the clinical aspect, health promotion could be the perfect fit for you.
“Health promotion is focused on capitalizing health and wellness from a holistic approach to prevent
diseases and illnesses,” said Stephanie Malinenko, associate professor and chair of health promotion.
This major also can provide benefits from a community and individual aspect of learning. Students who
are not studying health promotion or public health may take a health class to educate themselves on
how to take care of themselves from a holistic approach.
“The purpose of this major is to educate society. The population is living longer but not healthier,
chronic diseases are soaring. People need education and access to health-promoting tools to take
positive steps to manage their health and wellness,” said Paulette Niewczyk , associate professor of
health promotion.
What makes this program so unique is that it focuses on promoting healthy behavior and habits such as
nutrition, stress management, exercise, social health, and mental health.
“High school students know what a nurse, doctor, dentist, or teacher is, but they do not know that health
care stems from broad and holistic aspects which is probably why this major is not advertised as
much,” Malinenko said.
This major requires courses in stress management, health, fitness, program planning, disease
prevention and more.
“I do think this major is a more broad major and can also be applied to many different jobs and further
education such as an M.S and Ph.D can be completed prior to a bachelor’s,” said Kara Reichlin, a
senior health promotion major.
Jobs can vary from community health care workers, management, administration, epidemiology,
education, and insurance companies. Health promotion is offered at Daemen for four years at the
bachelor level studying one out of two specializations such as health and fitness or community health
principles.
This major offers unique opportunities for those who do not see themselves practicing patient care but
still have a passion for providing health care behind the scenes.
“I enjoy how this program educates students how to promote health not only within themselves but with
others,” Reichlin said.