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Why is
Comprehensive School Health Education So Important?
"Since the school is part of
the total community, the school health program must be seen as part of the total
community health program. Because schools, along with families, are the
main institutions with a sustained influence over children and young adults
during their formative years, they are strategic agencies for health promoting
activities. The task of education is to deal with the total development of the
individual - intellectual, physical, social, and emotional." (American
Medical Association, 1983)
Leaders from many different
disciplines and professions are asking schools and communities to provide
comprehensive school health education for our youth. Consider the following
information as you plan to include comprehensive school health education in your
curriculum.
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Patterns
of Disease and Health - The 10 leading causes of death can be attributed
to lifestyle behavior. Comprehensive school health is the best preventive
medicine that can be delivered in a cohesive and consistent manner.
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Cultural
Trends and Social Change - Comprehensive school health education is more
then hygiene. The impact of social change and trends demand that health
education be culturally relevant and be inclusive of the myriad of concerns
facing our society (ie. increased violence, increased children in poverty,
rising STD's in adolescents, increasing obesity among children, etc.)
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Confusion
of Health Messages - Finding reliable sources of information and being
able to refute misinformation is a vital skill as a health consumer.
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Young
People at Risk - Developmental issues impact students' choices and make
them vulnerable. Choices now may have long-term impact on future goals.
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Early
Biological Maturation - With the average of menarche being eleven years of age, it is vital for young females to have reliable sources of
information.
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Families
and Communities Partnership - These partnerships communicate to young
people that we all care. Healthy youth development can be a common goal.
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Interrelated
Health Issues - Comprehensive health education ties the issues together
in a way that makes sense.
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Systematic
Delivery System - Comprehensive school health education is supported
through coordinated services supplying materials, training, and updates.
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Health
is Basic - Health is basic to quality of life and success in cognitive
function. Kids who are healthy can better meet the challenges of living in a
complex world. They just do better.
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Health
Risks Affect Learning - Stress-related violence, drug use, and poor
nutrition have been linked to a number of school problems: low grades,
drop-out rates, truancy, and behavior problems. School health education
helps students learn skills to make different choices.
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