Chapter 10 - School Health

School Health Index

Online self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs. Designed to promote behavior in following six critical areas: - PA and physical education - Nutrition - Tobacco use and prevention - Uintentional injury and violence prevention - Asthma - Sexual health, inclusing HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy prevention.

Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum

- Focuses on clear health goals and behavioral health outcomes - Theory-driven and research-based - Addresses values, attitudes, and beliefs of the individual - Addresses individual and group norms that support health-enhancing behavior. - Students are engaged and the information is personalized - Professional development and teacher information and training are included to enhance the effectiveness of instruction. - Examines social pressure of influence - Builds personal competence, social competence, and self-efficacy through skill development. - Focuses on reinforcing protective factors and increasing risk perception when engaging in unhealthy practices and behaviors. - Teaching and learning strategies are culturally inclusive. (there are more)

Examples of brain-break activities

- Relaxation and breathing breaks - Highly physical breaks - Content related activities

Advantages of promoting health in schools

1. A common connection between health and success in school. 2. ability to focus on building self-efficacy in practicing health-related behaviors using skill-based educational approaches.

Resources for School Based Health Promotion

1. National Health Education Standards (NHES)-outlines age and developmentally appropriate strategies for health promotion 2. National Sexuality Education Standards(NSES)-provides clear and consistent guidance on the essential core standards of sexuality education. 3. Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool(HECAT)-used to help schools select and/or develop appropriate curricula to teach the content in established standards.

School based health promotion

1. Schools are logical location for healthpromotion activities.. 2. 95% of young people are enrolled in school.• Average child in the US spends 6.8 hoursin school. 3. Health promotion programs that focus onhealth communication strategies canpromote health and reduce risk. 4. Connection between academic success andpositive adult health outcomes. 5. Students with higher grades are lesslikely to engage in risky behaviors.

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Model

1. Uses the same concept as the ecological model. 2. Provides opportunities for schools to tailor their approach to meet the needs of students/families.

Systems approach to health

Applies scientific insight to understand the elements that influence health outcomes; models the relationship between those elements; and alters design, processes, or policies based on the resultant knowledge to produce better health at lower cost.

Skills-based health education

Changing health behavior through classroom-based education. Ex: Incorporating physical sctivity in classroom-based education

Health Communication Specialist

Design behavior change and communication campaign strategies. Role - relay accurate and reliable health messages to their target populations.

Social Innoculation Theory

The learner is exposed to a small dose of a situation in order to explore their capacity to manage it.

Health Communication Considerations for Schools

• Evidence-Based Strategies • Should be interactive and engaging • Cultural sensitivity/humility • Privacy and Confidentiality • Age Appropriateness • Accessibility • Parental Involvement • Consider evaluation strategies

CDC Healthy Schools: Health Communication

• Provides resources for school staff and leadership oncommunicating health information to students, parents and staff. • Provide information on specific topics (e.g. foodallergies, asthma, etc.) • Provides health promotion materials

Leading health issues for youth

• Unhealthy Dietary Practices • Use of Tobacco • Use of alcohol or other drugs • Inadequate participation in Physical Activity • Unsafe sexual practices (STIs and unintended pregnancy) • Unintentional injuries and violence