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| POSITION STATEMENT ON SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION is more important today than at any time in the history of our nation. Mortality and morbidity rates show clearly that health problems are reaching our youth in increasing numbers. Among youth and young adults, only four causes account for nearly three-quarters of all mortality and a great amount of morbidity and social problems. Motor vehicle crashes cause 29% of all deaths among this age group (40% of these are alcohol related), homicide causes 20%, suicide causes 12%, and other injuries (such as from falls, fires, drownings) cause 11%. Although not characterized in these mortality statistics, every year nearly one quarter of all new HIV infections, one quarter of all new infections with other sexually transmitted diseases, and nearly one million pregnancies occur among our nation's teenagers. New Texas statistics show that 22% of 4th graders, 19% of 8th graders, and 16% of 11th graders are overweight to obese and Type II Diabetes virtually unheard of in children 10 years ago is appearing in children as young as 5 years old. This new epidemic of obesity and physical inactivity as declared by the U.S. Surgeon General, sets up today’s youth for severe chronic disease as adults and our nation at risk for financial ruin in the wake of the medical costs from the casualties of this social war. School health education represents one broad scale effort our state can make for improving the health of Texas youth. However, in order to be successful, the curriculum must be comprehensive and coordinated. Comprehensive School Health Education is about teaching children how to make healthy choices. Whereas, Coordinated School Health is about surrounding them with healthy choices. Comprehensive School Health Education includes the development, delivery, and evaluation of a planned instructional program and other activities for students, their parents and the school staff. It is designed to influence the health knowledge, attitudes, and skills of these individuals. The health education curriculum involves the identification of specific components for the health education classroom describing content, learning activities, and evaluation activities; and, the coordination and integration of health content with other subject matter areas. School personnel and curriculum directors working closely with the local School Health Advisory Council should develop the curriculum (see http://www.healthpeced.org for duties of the School Health Advisory Council or http://www.schoolhealth.info for additional information). Those who teach health education should have a genuine interest in the field of health education and have teacher certification in health education. |
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| Resources: Coordinated School Health http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/cshpdef.htm Comprehensive School Health Education http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/cshedef.htm American Cancer Society's Healthy School Health Kids http://www.schoolhealth.info POSITION STATEMENTS ON HEALTH TERMINOLOGY One of the essential underpinnings of any profession is a body of well-defined terms used to enable members to communicate easily and with the clarity and consistency necessary for understanding among themselves and with others. The following definitions provide a common interpretation of terms frequently used by health educators in a variety of settings. TAHPERD adopts the following definitions: Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) An individual who has met required health education training qualifications, successfully passed a competency-based examination administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentials, Inc., and satisfies the continuing education requirements to maintain the national credential. See http://www.nchec.org for more information about CHES certification. Community A collective body of individuals identified by geography, common interests, concerns, characteristics, or values. Community Health Education A theory-driven process that promotes health and prevents disease within populations. Complimentary and Alternative Health Practices Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) covers a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies. Generally, it is defined as those treatments and health care practices not taught widely in medical schools, not generally used in hospitals, and not usually reimbursed by medical insurance companies. See http://www.nccam.nih.gov for information about the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Comprehensive School Health Program The part of the coordinated school health program that includes the development, delivery, and evaluation of planned, sequential, and developmentally appropriate instruction, learning experiences, and other activities designed to protect, promote, and enhance the health literacy, attitudes, skills, and well-being of students, pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The content is derived from the National Health Education Standards. See http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/ about/comprehensive_ed.htm for more information. Coordinated School Health Program An organized set of policies, procedures, and activities that, when properly coordinated; protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of students and staff, and, improves a student’s ability to learn. It includes, but is not limited to a healthy school environment, health education, nutrition services, physical education, health services, counseling and psychological services, health promotion for staff, and parent/community involvement. See http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/ about/school_health.htm for more information. Disease Prevention The process of reducing risks and alleviating disease to promote, preserve, and restore health and minimize suffering and distress. Health Health is a quality of life that is a function of emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual health. Health Advocacy The processes by which the actions of individuals or groups attempt to bring about social and/or organizational change on behalf of a particular health goal, program, interest, or population. Health Education Any combination of planned learning experiences based on sound theories that provide individuals, groups, and communities the opportunity to acquire information and the skills needed to make quality health decisions. Health Educator A professionally prepared individual who serves in a variety of roles and is specifically trained to use appropriate educational strategies and methods to facilitate the development of policies, procedures, interventions, and system conducive to the health of individuals, groups, and communities. Examples of settings for health education and the application of health include, but are not limited to, the following: Schools, communities, post-secondary educational institutions, medical care institutions, voluntary health organizations, worksites (business, industry, school), rehabilitation centers, professional associations, governmental agencies, public health agencies, environmental agencies, and mental health agencies. See http://www.hpcareer.net for job postings in health. Health Literacy The capacity of an individual to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services and the competence to use such information and services in ways that are health enhancing. Healthy People 2010 Healthy People 2010 is a document written by health experts that presents a vision to bring improved health to all people in the United States. Meeting the objectives of Healthy People 2010 represents a challenge to put prevention into practice by choosing healthy lifestyle choices. For further information, refer to http://web.health.gov/healthypeople. Health Promotion Any planned combination of educational, political, environmental, regulatory, or organizational mechanism that support actions and conditions of living, conducive to the health of individuals, groups, and communities. Healthy Lifestyle Patterns of behaviors that maximize one’s quality of life and decrease one’s susceptibility to negative health outcomes. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) A voluntary, task-oriented organization not officially connected to local, state, national or international government. Prevention Actions and interventions designed to identify risks and reduce susceptibility or exposure to health threats prior to disease onset (primarily prevention), detect and treat disease in early stages to protect progress recurrence (secondary prevention), and alleviate the effects of disease and injury (tertiary prevention). Quality of Life Quality of life reflects a general sense of happiness and satisfaction with our lives and environment. General quality of life encompasses all aspects of life, including health, recreation, culture, rights, values, beliefs, aspirations, and the conditions that support a life containing these elements. Health-related quality of life reflects a personal sense of physical and mental health and the ability to react to factors in the physical and social environments. Risk Reduction Actions that can successfully decrease the probability that individuals, groups, or communities will experience disease or debilitating health conditions. School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) School health advisory councils can play a major role in assisting school districts to develop effective school health programs. The council members serve as resource consultants to the district, providing expertise from the private sector and input from representatives of public community health agencies. Each school district should establish a SHAC to assist in developing objective policies in accordance with community needs. See www.healthpeced.org for duties of the School Health Advisory Council or http://www.schoolhealth.info for additional information. School Health Coordinator A certified or licensed professional at the state, district, or school level who is responsible for managing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating all school health policies, activities, and resources. Social Marketing The consumer-driven application of commercial marketing techniques to the analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation of programs designed to influence positive health behaviors within intended audiences. Wellness An approach to health that focuses on balancing the many aspects, or dimensions, of a person’s life through increasing the adoption of health enhancing conditions and behaviors rather that attempting to minimize conditions of illness. An active process whereby individuals make positive choices which affect the quality and quantity of life. |
WCopyright © 2008, Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
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TAHPERD State Office
7910 Cameron Road
Austin, Texas 78754
Ph: 512.459.1299 - Fax: 512.459.1290
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TAHPERD State Office
7910 Cameron Road
Austin, Texas 78754
Ph: 512.459.1299 - Fax: 512.459.1290
