CDC Releases 2006 School Health Profiles
June 26, 2008 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the report School Health Profiles: Characteristics of Health Programs among Secondary Schools. The report includes state and local school-level data from the 2006 School Health Profiles Survey on the following topics: school health education; physical education; health services; nutrition-related policies and practices; school health policies related to HIV/AIDS prevention, tobacco-use prevention, violence prevention, and physical activity; as well as family and community involvement in school health programs.
Profiles is a system of surveys conducted biennially to assess school health policies and programs in states and large urban school districts. The surveys are conducted by state and local education and health agencies among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers. In 2006, Profiles was conducted by 44 states and 16 cities. According to the CDC, the data are used to 1) compare school health policies and programs; 2) advocate for required health education; 3) identify health education topics and skills that are taught; 4) identify topics for staff development; 5) improve school health programs and policies; and 6) determine how well schools address the health and safety needs of their students.
2006 Profiles Reveals Trends, Areas for Improvement and What Has Evolved
School Health Profiles provides information that helps assess several of the components of Coordinated School Health Programs (CSHPs) – programs that help students develop and improve health-related knowledge, attitudes, and skills; health behaviors; as well as health, education and social outcomes among adolescents and young adults.
The report shows, for instance, that across states, the median percentage of all schools that taught a required health education course decreased from 51.3% in grade 6 to 14.7% in grade 12. According to the CDC, those results are of concern because, as a student’s grade increases, so does the prevalence of many health risk behaviors, creating a greater need for health education in higher grades.
The report also reveals some positive trends. In 2006, more than 90% of all schools across states and cities prohibited tobacco advertising in school buildings, on school grounds, on all school vehicles, and in school publications.
To access the Profiles’ comprehensive results, as well as fact sheets, data files and archives, and general information, please visit the School Health Profiles website at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/profiles/.