Slide IV-1

Health Education

The lifelong process by which individuals acquire knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that promote health and foster wise decisions for solving personal, family, and community health problems
Slide IV-2

Health Education

  • The role of the pediatrician
  • Key elements of effective health education curricula
  • Which curricula work?
  • Two important tools
  • Action steps for pediatricians
Slide IV-3

The Role of the Pediatrician

  • Assess community needs.
  • Consult on health education curricula.
  • Assist in the evaluation of curricula.
  • Teach health-related topics to students and others.
  • Reinforce the messages taught in school with students and parents.
Slide IV-4

Key Elements of Effective Curricula

  • Documented, planned, and sequential program of health instruction for K-12 students
  • Address a range of health problems
  • Suggest activities for avoiding risk behaviors
  • Provided for a prescribed amount of time at each grade level
Slide IV-5

Key Elements of Effective Curricula (cont'd)

  • Overseen by a trained health education professional
  • Provided by teachers trained in health content
  • Involve parents, health professionals, and others
Slide IV-6

Which Curricula Work?

  • Project Toward No Tobacco Use
  • Get Real About AIDS
  • Teenage Health Teaching Modules
  • Life Skills Training
  • Be Proud! Be Responsible!
  • Reducing the Risk
  • Becoming a Responsible Teen
Slide IV-7

National Health Education Standards

  • Students will:
    • Comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
    • Access health information, products, and services.
    • Practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce risks.
    • Analyze the influence of culture, media, and technology.
    • Use interpersonal communication skills.
    • Use goal-setting and decision-making.
    • Advocate for personal, family, and community health.
Slide IV-8

Health Literacy

  • The health literate person is:
    • A critical thinker and problem solver
    • A responsible, productive citizen
    • A self-directed learner
    • An effective communicator
Slide IV-9

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)

  • Unintentional and intentional injuries
  • Tobacco use
  • Alcohol and other drug use
  • Sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and STDs
  • Dietary behavior
  • Physical inactivity
Slide IV-10

YRBSS (cont'd)

  • School- and household-based surveys
  • College student surveys
  • Data used to monitor progress on national goals
  • Helps focus teacher training and instructional programs
Slide IV-11

Developing the Individual Education Plan

  • Pediatricians can:
    • Compare local YRBSS stats with state and national data
    • Demonstrate the prevalence of certain health risk behaviors
    • Identify priority behaviors to target
    • Monitor trends over time
Slide IV-12

Community-Level Action Steps

  • Link with other groups and your AAP Chapter.
  • Contact school district health education coordinator.
  • Develop a school health council or advisory board.
  • Encourage parents to find out what their children are being taught.
  • Organize a needs assessment.
  • Contact the local media.
  • Become a school medical advisor.
Slide IV-13

State-Level Action Steps

  • Link with chapters of national organizations (ACS, ALA, PTA).
  • Investigate legislation in your state.
  • Learn how state government works and how to start state-level activities.
  • Use the AAP state legislative packet on comprehensive school health education.
  • Develop a state-level coalition.