Health Education

The SMA Alliance Health Education focus was started at the 1993 Convention where the The Eileen Martin Award was established to recognize the most outstanding state or county Health Education project. The first award was given at the 1994 Convention where the focus was on Breast Cancer Awareness.

Breast Cancer Awareness remained the main focus for Health Education until 2004 when the SMA Alliance broadened its Health Education Focus to include Osteoporosis and Heart Health in Women. At the Convention in 2010 the SMA Alliance voted to make Healthy Lifestyles the new focus of Health Education. This new umbrella provides more opportunity within communities to expand efforts in health care in order to be more effective. Efforts will continue towards Breast Cancer Awareness, Osteoporosis and Heart Health in Women.

The Health Education Award of Excellence is presented to Alliance members who have made an impact in the area of the health education focus. It is also given to an organization or institution, an individual, a family or others who have made a significant contribution to prevention efforts in the areas of the current educational focus.