Visualizing the Knowledge Domain in Health Education: A Scientometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to visualize the evidence in the global research on health education to better improve the nation’s health literacy and to guide future research. Method: We searched the Web of Science (Core Collection) electronic databases. The search strategies: topic: (“Health Education” OR “Education, Health” OR “Community Health Education” OR “Education, Community Health” OR “Health Education, Community”) AND document: (Article) AND language:(English). Articles of evidence from January 2011 to December 2021 with those words in the title or abstract or keywords will be included in this review. We used the Citespace 5.6.R5 (64-bit) to investigate and determine the thematic patterns, and emerging trends of the knowledge domain, and presented a narrative account of the findings. Result: We analyzed 10,273 eligible articles. It showed that BMC Public Health displays the most prolific journals. Author MARCO PAHOR is highlighted in health education. The University of Sydney has published the most studies about health education. The USA plays an important role in these studies. Specifically, the visualization shows several hotspots: disease prevalence surveys and a specific population of knowledge, attitude and practice surveys, health intervention, chronic and non-communicable management, youth-health action, sexual and reproductive health, and physical activity promotion. Furthermore, document co-citation analysis indicated that there are 10 main clusters, which means the research front in health education. Meanwhile, by the citation detected, COVID-19, has achieved universal health coverage in related studies, however, public health education and the health workforce might be more popular in the coming years. Conclusion: Health education is an effective measure to shift the concept of public health and improve healthy living standards. The present study facilitates an extensive understanding of the basic knowledge and research frontiers that are pivotal for the developmental process of health education and allows scholars to visualize the identification modes and tendencies.