1. The Need for Comprehensive School Health Education
Chapter 1
A Nation at Risk:
The Need for Comprehensive School Health Education

2. Causes of Deaths Among Young People
Motor vehicle crashes
Other intentional injuries (falls, fires, drownings)
Homicide
Suicide
Many of these deaths are preventable

3. Prominent Causes of Deaths in Adults
Heart disease, cancer, and stroke
Habits established in childhood and adolescence often contribute to these diseases
Causes are due to:
Dietary habits
Cigarette smoking
Alcohol use
Inactivity

4. What Are Risk Behaviors?
Action a person chooses that threatens health
Can cause injury, illness, and premature death
Most risk behaviors:
– Are established during youth
Persist into adulthood
Are interrelated
Contribute to poor health, education, social outcomes
Are preventable

5. 6 Categories of Risk Behavior for Today’s Students
Identified by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Behaviors contributing to unintentional/ intentional injuries
Tobacco use
Alcohol and other drug use

6. 6 Categories of Risk Behavior for Today’s Students (cont’d)
Identified by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Sexual behaviors resulting in unintended pregnancy and STDs
Dietary patterns contributing to disease
Insufficient physical activity
Risk behavior = action a person chooses that threatens health

7. Unintentional Injuries
Caused by an Accident
Motor vehicle–related injuries
Fires
Drowning
Others including: falls, suffocation, poisoning, etc.

8. Intentional Injuries Domestic violence (i.e., child abuse)
Involving interpersonal violence and self-directed violence (Physical force used to cause injury)
Domestic violence (i.e., child abuse)
Bullying and fighting
Homicide
Suicide

9. Child Abuse Harmful treatment of a minor
Includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect
Over 3 million are reported as victims to the Child Protection Services (CPS)
Over one thousand die from abuse annually

10. Tobacco Use Cigarettes, pipes, cigars, or smokeless tobacco
Most preventable cause of death in the U.S.
29.2% male and 27.7% female are smokers (2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey)
Each day, 4,400 youths (aged 12-17) try cigarette smoking
Depression linked to smoking (Goodman & Capitman, 2000)

11. Alcohol Use Psychoactive drug that depresses the CNS
Average age of students who start to drink is between 12-13
One third of students report episodic heavy drinking, having 5 or more drinks on a single occasion in the past month
Associated with crimes, injuries, and other problems among youths

12. Other Drug Use Illicit drug use has increased in grades 8, 10, 12
One fourth of high school students have tried marijuana (Grunbaum, 2002)
Gateway drug to other illicit drugs

13. Sexual Behaviors Contributing to Unintended Pregnancy & STDs
45.6% of high school students report sexual intercourse experience
Early sexual experiences increase risk of pregnancy and STDs
The greater number of sex partners heightens the risk for STDs, especially HIV

14. HIV Infection
Human immunodeficiency virus destroys the body’s immune system, leading to AIDS
There is currently no cure for AIDS
Bodily fluids can transmit the virus via unprotected sexual intercourse
The number of year olds infected with HIV is increasing

15. Unintended Pregnancies
Sexually active students risk unintended pregnancies
The United States has one of the highest adolescent birth rates among developed nations
Teen moms are likely to have a second birth within 24 months after the first birth (National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2002)

16. Dietary Patterns that Contribute to Disease
Chronic diseases are linked to poor eating habits
More young people do not meet recommendations for healthy eating
Excess calories lead to obesity, which has doubled for adolescents (Ogden et al.,2003)
Adolescents and children often skip breakfast, which affects performance
Many adolescents develop eating disorders due to low self-esteem, negative body image, or feelings of inadequacy

17. Insufficient Physical Activity
Physical activity is body movement from skeletal muscles that leads to energy expenditure
Many young people do not get enough physical activity
Fewer children are enrolling in daily P.E.
Use of TV and video games contributes to this pattern

18. Healthy People 2010 (Table 1-1)
Represents ideas of organizations and individuals concerning the nation’s health
Two goals set by Healthy People 2010
Increase quality and years of healthy life
Eliminate health disparities

19. CDC School Health Guidelines
Intended to help personnel working in schools and community-based programs meet national health objectives
Guidelines to:
Prevent the spread of AIDS
Prevent tobacco use and addiction
Promote lifelong healthy eating
Promote physical activity among young people
Prevent skin cancer
Prevent unintentional injuries and violence

20. Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program
Federal initiative that supports efforts to reduce drugs, alcohol, tobacco use, and violence through education and prevention activities
Provides grants to states, local education agencies, communities, and schools

21. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health
Federally funded initiative
Studies adolescent health, risk behaviors, resilience, and protective factors
Largest and most comprehensive survey of adolescents in the U.S.
Results show that teenagers who have a feeling of “connectedness” with parents and schools are less likely to have unhealthful behavior development and are more likely to make better choices

22. The Coordinated School Health Program
Addresses complete physical, emotional, intellectual, and social well-being of students and staff
School health services and programs promote healthy living and safe environment
Creates achievement and success
Seeks active partnerships with community-based agencies and personnel
Implements changes via a School Health Coordinator, who is responsible for the evaluation and administration of the program
See figure 1-1 for components

23. The Coordinated School Health Program (cont’d)
Comprehensive school health education
School health services
A healthful and safe school environment
Physical education

24. The Coordinated School Health Program (cont’d)
Nutrition services
Counseling, psychological, social services
Health promotion for staff
Family and community involvement

25. The Meeks Heit Umbrella of Comprehensive School Health Education
Designed to protect youth from the six categories of risk behaviors identified by the CDC by:
Teaching them to comprehend health knowledge
Accessing health information, products, and services
Practicing healthful behaviors
Managing stress
Analyzing influences on health

26. The Meeks Heit Umbrella of Comprehensive School Health Education (cont’d)
Using communication skills
Using resistance skills
Using conflict resolution skills
Setting health goals
Making responsible decisions
Advocating for health
Demonstrating good character

27. The Meeks Heit Umbrella of Comprehensive School Health Education Categories
Mental and Emotional Health
Family and Social Health
Growth and Development
Nutrition
Personal Health and Physical Activity
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Communicable and Chronic Disease
Consumer and Community Health
Environmental Health
Injury Prevention and Safety

28. Implementing the Comprehensive School Health Education Curriculum
Qualified and trained teachers
Standards-based curricula and assessment
Addressing the needs of diverse learners
Integrating health content into other subject areas
Using principles of effective Health Education Curricula

29. The Need for Comprehensive School Health Education
Chapter 1
A Nation at Risk:
The Need for Comprehensive School Health Education