School Health Education Clearinghouse

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Six Preventable Behaviors, Eight Components of a Coordinated School Health Program, What Schools Will Need to Develop and Sustain a Coordinated School Health Program, Working Toward Coordinated School Health Programs, HIV/AIDS Content Notice, Training Modules

Benefits of Coordinated School Health Programs

Benefits to Students, Staff, and Family

Students learn how to improve their health and prevent disease by developing skills and knowledge that can help them stay healthy.
Students learn the skills that can help them remain physically fit throughout their lives.
Students can discuss health concerns, identify health problems, and if necessary, be referred to school or community services.
Students are offered healthy, appealing foods to reinforce classroom instruction on nutrition and diet.
Students and families have access to support and services that help them develop healthy attitudes and behaviors and prevent or address problems that affect their mental or emotional health.
School offers a positive physical, emotional, and social climate that provides a safe physical plant and a safe, supportive, environment that fosters learning.
School helps staff maintain and improve their health, which can decrease absenteeism and improve their morale. At the same time, school staff can serve as role models for students.

Positive Effects of School Health Activities

Improved attendance.
Less smoking among students and staff.
Lower rates of teenage pregnancy.
Increased participation in physical fitness activities.
Greater interest in weight control, cholesterol levels, and healthier diets.
Increased use of school health and counseling services.
Decreased disciplinary problems.
Delayed onset of health-risk behaviors such as the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Long Term Gains

School health education can change students’ health behaviors and attitudes and is a cost-effective way to promote health and prevent disease.
The availability of school-based health centers can increase student attendance and reduce suspensions and drop-out rates.
Teachers participating in school-site health promotion programs have higher morale and fewer absences.
School nutrition services can improve students’ scores on standardized tests.
Family involvement can increase students’ adoption of healthy behaviors.

The following materials were used with permission to create this section: Health Is Academic; A Guide to Coordinated School Health Programs. Edited by Eva Marks and Susan Frelick Wooley, with Daphne Northrop. New York: Teachers College Press, 1998.
Talking About Health Is Academic; Six Workshop Modules For Promoting A Coordinated Approach To School Health. Copyright © 1999, Education Development Center, Inc.

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