Health Education Critical to Student Success
Health education is key to promoting positive health behaviors by building knowledge and skills surrounding physical, mental, emotional and social health for students. This contributes to improved cognitive, physical, social and emotional development, helping students make more informed decisions regarding disease prevention, health maintenance and overall health-related behaviors that last well beyond their school-aged years.
Health education is versatile and can take place in a variety of locations. Schools are uniquely advantaged for health education as they reach a wide audience during very formative years. The Colorado Department of Education has developed comprehensive health education standards (link below) that provide competencies to be accomplished at each grade level. These standards provide health educators an opportunity to build on the knowledge and skills achieved the year prior, and ultimately, enabling students to graduate as their own health ambassadors.
School health education looks different in each district. Many districts in Colorado have grant-funded programs to facilitate health education. However, the specific needs of the student body, available resources and stakeholder buy-in determine how education is implemented. Having access to trained personnel is critical to success.
Health Education Specialists are specially trained to access, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based health programs or interventions that are aimed at behavior changes. Health Education Specialists also serve as a resource person and advocate for health education and the profession. There are seven areas of responsibilities, as outlined below:
Seven Areas of Responsibility per The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing:
- Area 1: Assess Needs, Resources and Capacity for Health uca /Promotion
- Area 2: Plan Health Education/Promotion
- Area 3: Implement Health Education/Promotion
- Area 4: Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion
- Area 5: Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion
- Area 6: Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person
- Area 7: Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion, and the Profession.
As a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and proud member of the Alliance, I am happy to serve as a resource for anyone interested in bringing health education to the population in which they serve.
Ashley Coram, MPH, CHES School-Based Health Center Program Manager Every Child Pediatrics acoram@everychildpediatrics.org
Society for Public Health Education – Health Education Week: https://www.sophe.org/focus-areas/national-health-education-week/
Colorado Department of Education – 2020 Comprehensive Health Education Standards: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cohealth/2020cas-ch-p12
