Health Promotion in Schools :1 Health Promotion in Schools By Dr. Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D. Public Health & Safety Consultant Email: drpattron@gmail.com All Rights Reserved © 2008 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron


Why is the School Setting the Key for Health Promotion? :2 Why is the School Setting the Key for Health Promotion? It reaches a large proportion of the population for many years It is place where healthy knowledge, attitudes and behaviour begins at an early age


Critical Reflection? :3 Critical Reflection? Do you regard health promotion in schools as being adequate and appropriate? Discuss.


Education & Health :4 Education & Health National Bureau of Economic Research (WHO, 1993) "An additional four years of education lowers five-year mortality by 1.8 percentage points; it also reduces the risk of heart disease by 2.16 percentage points, and the risk of diabetes by 1.3 percentage points."


What is the relationship between the level of education and the incidence of: heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes or mental health? :5 What is the relationship between the level of education and the incidence of: heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes or mental health?


How Schools can Influence Health & Well-being in a Positive Way? :6 How Schools can Influence Health & Well-being in a Positive Way? Student centered learning Supportive environment Creative and interactive classroom culture Codes of behaviour known to all and enforced consistently by all All students have a say in their educational development and learning


Health Promotion in Schools: A Contextual Approach :7 Health Promotion in Schools: A Contextual Approach Well being and fulfillment of maximum potential Making informed decisions and the development of self-esteem and self awareness Adopting the holistic concept of health Linked to personal and social development Focused on health damaging effects of certain behaviours


Sexual & Reproductive Health of Young People :8 Sexual & Reproductive Health of Young People Strategies include: Information Appraisal of risk and self awareness Skills training in communication Awareness of and access to appropriate health care services


Perceived Barriers to Health Promotion in Schools :9 Perceived Barriers to Health Promotion in Schools Not well established in schools Few health promotion programmes are well planned and structured Lack of specialist health educators Focused on physiology and biology of sex and sexual activity rather than social and emotional components of sex The curriculum is unbalanced in favour of academic subjects rather than social and emotional subjects Most curriculum does not offer health education or health promotion as part of their degree or subject component


The School as a Health Promoting Environment :10 The School as a Health Promoting Environment Physical environment Relationships between all those in the school Relationship with community Quality of learning experience Systems of discipline Care and support General culture of the school


WHO Criteria for a Health Promoting School (WHO, 1993) :11 WHO Criteria for a Health Promoting School (WHO, 1993) Active promotion of self-esteem Development of good relationships Clarification of philosophy, mission and vision Provision of stimulating challenges Improvement of the physical environment Establishment of good links between school, home and community Development of good links between primary and secondary schools Active promotion of health and well-being Deeper involvement of staff in health education Provision of school meals as a means of ensuring nutrition health and well-being Availability of specialist services and support in health education Development of education potential of school health services for the curriculum


The Ottawa Charter :12 The Ottawa Charter Health promotion as a process of enabling people to take more control over their health (WHO, 1986).


How can students be enabled to take more control over their education and health? :13 How can students be enabled to take more control over their education and health?


Develop an Outline of a Health Promotion Programme for Pre-School Children (4-6 year olds) using themes such as:1. Body and personal feelings2. Dental care3. Nutrition and healthy snacks4. Attitudes to television5. Leisure time6. Relaxation methods :14 Develop an Outline of a Health Promotion Programme for Pre-School Children (4-6 year olds) using themes such as:1. Body and personal feelings2. Dental care3. Nutrition and healthy snacks4. Attitudes to television5. Leisure time6. Relaxation methods


Conclusions :15 Conclusions Schools play an important role in health promotion The young are seen as a vital target population for the provision of information and encouragement of responsible attitudes and behaviour Health promotion in schools is most likely to be effective when The needs of the youths are addressed The availability of a supportive environment provided by teachers, students and the community The availability and accessibility of health services


References :16 References http://www.nber.org/digest/ Naidoo, J and Wills, J. 2000. Health Promotion: Foundations for Practice. Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall World Health Organization. 1986. Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Geneva: WHO World Health Organization. 1995. WHO expert committee on comprehensive school health education and promotion. Geneva: WHO World Health Organization. 1993. The European network of health promoting schools. Copenhagen: WHO