Preparing Health Education Specialists for a Digital Future: Observations on the Updated HESPA III Competency Framework

Abstract

The 2025 Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis (HESPA III) established an updated competency framework that will guide professional preparation and certification in the United States beginning in 2027. This perspective paper examines the newly released framework and identifies three areas warranting attention from educators, practitioners, and professional organizations. Specifically, the framework provides broad guidance on technology but would benefit from more explicit attention to artificial intelligence, digital health, and contemporary data competencies. As health information environments become increasingly mediated by artificial intelligence and automated systems, these areas have implications for workforce readiness and the profession’s capacity to serve diverse communities effectively. This paper offers observations and recommendations to inform professional development priorities and future framework revisions.