Additional Resources
Celebrate National Influenza Vaccination Week
January 7, 2010 - National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as to foster greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. This year’s NIVW occurs January 10-16, 2010.
Best Practices in Pandemic Preparedness
January 22, 2010 - The University of Minnesota’s CIDRAP Promising Practices site is now being updated frequently to include useful strategies and practices in response to the H1N1 pandemic. The website includes best practices in models of care; communication; mitigation; and dealing with at-risk individuals. In addition, there are search features for personal preparedness, home care, and school toolkits, among other searches, and many of the best practices are applicable to schools, although not school-focused. Materials represent public health activities and outreach in 40 US states, including 51 cities/counties.
Celebrate No Name-Calling Week
January 15, 2010 – This year, No Name-Calling Week will take place the week of January 25-29, 2010. The week aims to focus national attention on the problem of name-calling within schools, and to provide students and educators with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities.
New Food Allergy Guidelines for Clinicians
December 21, 2010 - The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has endorsed new guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States.
New Food Allergy Guidelines for Clinicians
December 21, 2010 - The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has endorsed new guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States.
Tobacco Smoke Causes Immediate Damage
December 16, 2010 – U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin released a new report this week showing that harm from secondhand smoke can occur immediately, strengthening the case for tobacco-free schools policies.
Check Out Our New Childhood Obesity Webpage
NSBA’s School Health Programs has created a “Childhood Obesity & Schools” webpage. The webpage is designed for school leaders and others who strive to address childhood obesity to keep kids healthy and ready to learn.
CDC releases 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data
June 3, 2010 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) has released the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance MMWR Surveillance Summary and the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data. The MMWR Surveillance Summary as well as updated fact sheets, the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey data file, and 2009 technical documentation are available at www.cdc.gov/yrbss.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
July 28, 2010 - Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), August has been designated as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). NIAM serves as an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of receiving routine, up-to-date immunizations as well as to prepare communities for the return of school and the imminent flu season. In turn, this annual observation encourages communities to promote benefits of vaccinations and continue awareness efforts across all segments of the population.
CDC Flu Guidance for the 2010-2011 School Year
October 12, 2010 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released documents to help schools with their flu prevention efforts in the 2010-2011 school year.
CDC Gives a Heads Up to Schools on the ABCs of Concussions
June 29, 2010 –The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently introduced a new initiative known as the “Heads Up to Schools: Know Your Concussion ABCs.” This initiative hopes to promote the health and safety of students across the nation by providing schools with essential information for developing effective methods to prevent and respond to concussions – a type of traumatic brain injury. The approach? It’s as easy as ABC.
CDC Issues Strategies to Address Obesity in Schools
April 6, 2010 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a document that outlines strategies that governors, state agencies, and state boards of education can use to address obesity within schools. While the document is directed to the state level, it can be used to inform local policy development as it contains actions school boards can consider ahead of any state or federal mandates.
CDC Issues Youth Physical Activity Guidelines Toolkit
February 22, 2010 – Obesity rates among children have more than tripled in the last thirty years and one of the explanations offered for this drastic increase is the imbalance between caloric intake and expenditure. To promote physical activity among young people, the CDC and several partner organizations recently developed the Youth Physical Activity Guidelines Toolkit. The toolkit highlights specific strategies that schools, families, and communities can use to support youth physical activity.
Celebrate Food Allergy Awareness Week
April 20, 2010 – This year, Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) will be celebrated from May 9 through May 15, 2010. The week was created in 1997 by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) to educate others about food allergies, a potentially life-threatening medical condition. This year marks the 13th celebration and the theme is “Respect Every Bite” as for individuals with food allergies, just one bite of a food that contains their allergen can lead to anaphylaxis – a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.
Celebrate Kick Butts Day
March 1, 2010 – Help encourage young people to stand up against the tobacco industry by celebrating the fourteenth annual Kick Butts Day on March 24, 2010.
Celebrate May Events and Help Keep Kids Healthy and Ready to Learn
April 15, 2010 - The month of May presents several opportunities to celebrate events that improve the health and lives of children and adolescents.
Celebrate National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
April 27, 2010 – Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (Awareness Day) is an annual celebration that seeks to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health service delivery for children and youth with mental health needs and their families. This year’s event will focus on the importance of mental health awareness and positive development in early childhood and the key message is that “positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth.”
Celebrate National Food Safety Education Month!
August 26, 2010 – This September, join the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation in promoting National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM). Many parents and community members take for granted that the food their children are eating at school is safe. However, hours of preparation and training on the part of the food service staff is required to make sure this is so, and a foodborne illness incident can be devastating to the school community. NFSEM provides an excellent opportunity for schools to demonstrate exactly what they are doing to make sure students are safe at school, as well as offer tips to parents to keep their children eating safely at home.
Celebrate National Healthy Schools Day
April 2, 2010 - National Healthy Schools Day falls on the first day of School Building Week. This year, it is being celebrated on Monday, April 26 and it presents a great opportunity for everyone to promote healthy and green school environments for all children through the use of the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools (Tfs) Program.
Celebrate National School Breakfast Week
February 25, 2010 – Sponsored by the School Nutrition Association (SNA), National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) was launched in 1989 to raise awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program (SBP) to all children. This year’s theme is “School Breakfast Ready Set Go!” - a campaign designed to introduce students to the importance of school breakfast and demonstrate how eating a school breakfast prepares you for a busy day at school.
Celebrate the 35th Annual Great American Smokeout on November 18th
October 26, 2010 – Thursday, November 18th marks the 35th Annual Great American Smokeout, a day that encourages smokers to quit. Schools and districts can celebrate by reviewing the tobacco-free school policies that help make sure their kids never start.
Celebrate the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
April 2, 2010 – This year, the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is being celebrated on May 5, 2010. The Day’s purpose is to focus the attention of teens on the importance of avoiding teen pregnancy and other serious consequences of sex.
Celebrate World Asthma Day
April 8, 2010 – Celebrate World Asthma Day 2010 on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), the day is meant to raise awareness of asthma and improve asthma care all over the world. This year’s theme is “You Can Control Your Asthma.”
Changing Nutrition in Schools – The Need for All Parties to Be Involved
April 23, 2010 - In May 2006, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation worked with representatives of the Coca-Cola Company, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, PepsiCo and the American Beverage Association (ABA) to establish the Alliance School Beverage Guidelines that limit portion sizes and reduce the number of beverage calories available to children within schools. The third and final assessment of the impact and status of the guidelines shows there is good news in this front. The report reveals that beverage producers and their bottlers have succeeded in changing the beverage landscape in America’s schools.
Columbia University Essay Proposes New Approach to Close the Achievement Gap
March 25, 2010 – An essay released this month by Columbia University’s Research Initiative of the Campaign for Education Equity shows that a missing link in school health reform is acknowledging that healthier students learn better.
Commemorate World Mental Health Day
October 7, 2010 - Schools can play a major role in addressing mental health issues. And, nowadays, it is extremely important that schools address bullying and, in particular cyber bullying, as it can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental ailments such as suicide, as seen recently in the news.
Communities Can Prevent Violence Before It Starts
August 31, 2010 -- Youth violence directly affects how young people and the communities in which they live are able to thrive. Young people cannot learn and succeed in life if they are afraid to go to school or work because of the threat of violence, and violence in turn increases health care costs, decreases property values, disrupts social services, and threatens the success of businesses.
EPA’s New IAQ and Student Performance Webpage
May 19, 2010 – EPA has long been promoting the benefits of good indoor air quality (IAQ) on health; now, a new section on their IAQ Tools For Schools website successfully examines the positive impact good IAQ has on student performance, attendance, and teacher retention.
F as in Fat: New Report Indicates Rising Obesity Trends
Monday, August 9 – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) recently published a new report examining obesity trends within the United States. The seventh annual report, F as in Fat 2010: How the Obesity Crisis Threatens America’s Future, provides a current depiction of the obesity problem, assessing federal, state, and community policies and their efforts to prevent and reduce one of the leading public health challenges of our nation.
First Lady Spearheads a New Campaign to Fight Childhood Obesity and NSBA Shows Its Support
February 18, 2010 – The first lady, Michelle Obama, has launched a new campaign entitled Let’s Move! in the fight against childhood obesity. Let’s Move! aims to give parents the support they need to prevent and curb childhood obesity, provide healthier foods in schools, help kids be more physically active, and make healthy, affordable food available in every part of the country.
HHS Releases Funding Announcement for Teen Pregnancy Prevention
April 19, 2010 – A few days ago, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) released the funding announcements for the new teen pregnancy prevention initiative. The grant announcements include one for replicating evidence-based programs and one for the Research and Demonstration Programs and Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP).
Increasing Academic Achievement by Addressing Student Health
February 24, 2010 – A new California Endowment brief describes how students’ health can impact their educational achievement and the steps policymakers can take to better address student health in schools.
NASPE Releases New Report on Physical Education
Monday, July 26 - According to a recent report, published by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), limited progress has been made toward providing daily physical education to youth in grades K-12. The 2010 Shape of the Nation Report provides a current depiction of physical education (PE) within the United States, indicating that while slight improvements have been made, more schools are offering student waivers from PE classes and in turn, limiting any progress toward creating healthy learning environments.
National Drug Facts Week is November 8-14, 2010
October 22, 2010 –Through community-based events, activities and contests on the web and TV, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is working to encourage teens to get factual answers from scientific experts about drugs and drug abuse. Part of that effort includes National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) – a health observance week for teens that aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse. NDFW is taking place from November 8-14, 2010.
National HIV Testing Day is June 27
June 10, 2010 – National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is a national campaign celebrated each year on June 27th. Created in 1995, the event urges individuals of all ages to “Take the Test, Take Control,” advocating the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS, state and local health departments, community-based organizations, as well as various health services participate and host events across the nation, hoping to both advocate and support HIV testing.
New Bullying Prevention Resources
September 14, 2010 – Bullying affects children’s physical and mental health and hinders their ability to perform well in school by making them feel unsafe and insecure. Therefore, in order to increase student achievement, schools should establish policies and practices that address bullying.
New from NSBA! “Health, Learning, and Student Success 101” and “Health Services 101”
August 11, 2010 – Two newly developed 101 packets are now available from NSBA’s School Health Programs! The first addresses the connection between health and student achievement, and the second provides information and guidance on health services in schools.
New Information on Teen Pregnancy Rates and Prevention Programs
February 16, 2010 - A new Guttmacher Institute report sheds light on an important, but often forgotten issue: teen pregnancy. The report contains the most current teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion statistics available, with national estimates through 2006, and state-level estimates through 2005. The report shows that, in 2005, the U.S. teenage pregnancy rate reached its lowest point in more than 30 years, down 41% since its peak in 1990. However, in 2006 the rate increased for the first time in more than a decade, rising 3%.
New Issue Brief on Oral Health Opportunities in Schools
December 3, 2010 – A new issue brief, released by the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care describes how school-based health centers (SBHCs) can be used to increase oral health among students.
New NSBA Document to Help School Boards in Their Approach to Health and Learning
November 3, 2010 – The National School Boards Association (NSBA) has released a new document that will help school boards enhance student learning through support of a coordinated approach to health.
New NSFG Report Provides Compelling Data to Enhance Teen Pregnancy Efforts in the United States
July 7, 2010 – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released findings from their National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), focusing on factors related to sexual activity, contraceptive use, and pregnancy among teens. The report suggests that progress has been limited. Comparing national statistics in 2006-2008 to statistics from a formerly conducted survey in 2002, improvements on teen sex and contraceptive use appear to be statistically unchanged. Although these statistics were based upon individuals between 15 and 44 years of age, the report focuses on data for teens between 15 and 19 years of age. Key findings include:
New Publication on School Nursing
September 29, 2010 - School nurses play diverse and important roles and collaborate with other health professionals to serve the needs of students. They manage chronic conditions like diabetes; handle life-threatening allergy and asthma events; act as sentinels when epidemics strike; respond to students’ physical and emotional concerns; screen for conditions that impair learning, such as poor vision; administer medication and provide first aid; and refer students to substance abuse treatment and mental, behavioral, and reproductive health services; and perform additional responsibilities.
New Publication Shows How Schools Can Work with Health Departments
February 4, 2010 – A new publication released by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health shows the value of partnerships between schools and health departments and offers relevant information on how health departments work and how schools can work with health departments.
New Publications Show What Works in Parent and Family Involvement in Schools
January 28, 2010 - Three new publications relay the importance of involving parents and families in schools and show which programs work and do not work in promoting family engagement.
New Report Reveals Major Gaps in Addressing Childhood Obesity Among U.S. Elementary Schools
June 22, 2010 – Childhood obesity has increased dramatically over the past four decades, contributing to adverse health problems, decreased student performance, and unhealthy behavior among young people. Schools have the ability to both directly and effectively address childhood obesity among children by improving healthy eating and increasing physical activity. However, a comprehensive study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) reveals that elementary schools across the nation continue to commonly offer unhealthy choices and limited physical activity.
New Report Shows Reduction in the Decline in Cigarette Use among High School Students
July 22, 2010— A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzing cigarette use among high school students indicates that the decline in cigarette use among high school students is slowing. The report, which was published in the July 9, 2010 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, addresses three measures of cigarette use: ever smoked cigarettes, current cigarette use, and current frequent cigarette use, and shows that declines in cigarette use among youth have continued to slow since 2003.
New Reports Show How Childhood Obesity is Being Addressed in Schools and in States
June 2, 2010 - Two recently released reports look at policy-driven efforts to address childhood obesity in schools and at the state level.
New Resource Repository on Emergency Management for Schools
March 9, 2010 – Established in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS), the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center provides technical assistance for schools, school districts, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) on emergency management issues and questions. Recently, the REMS TA Center created an online Resource Repository to host examples of current tools, templates, resources, and forms related to K-12 and higher education emergency management.
New Study on the Current Status of Local Wellness Policies
September 23, 2010 – A new study from Bridging the Gap, a research program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) shows that, although school districts have improved their wellness policies since the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
took effect, policies are generally weak and often are not aligned with national recommendations for nutrition and physical activity. The study reveals, moreover, that guidelines for competitive foods and beverages are especially lax and many do not comply with requirements of the federal mandate.
New Tobacco Regulations in Effect as of June 22, 2010
July 14, 2010 – On June 22, 2009 President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law, marking the first time the federal government has had the ability to place public health restrictions on tobacco products as well as industry advertising. One year later, on June 22, 2010, these new regulations went into effect, providing important stipulations on youth access and sales and marketing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now has the authority to restrict the sale, distribution and promotion of tobacco products, and to make them less accessible and attractive to children and adolescents.
NSBA Makes Live a New “Asthma & Schools” Webpage
March 26, 2010 – Did you know that asthma is the leading health cause of school absenteeism, and that it might negatively affect learning if not well-managed? Or that nearly 10% of children – three students in a classroom of 30 – have asthma?
NSBA’s Food Allergies and Schools Webcast – Register Today!
The webcast, Food Allergies and Schools: Keeping Students Safe and Ready to Learn, being held on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 from 2-3:30 EST, is free but registration is required.
Register Now for EPA’s “Communities in Action for Asthma-Friendly Environments National Forum” June 17-18, 2010
March 26, 2010- Asthma is the leading cause of absenteeism in schools and poor asthma management can negatively affect the behavior and performance of students. With tight school budgets, it is hard to imagine where the money will come from for asthma management programs and even school nurses.
Registration is now open for the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools National Symposium
September 7, 2010 – Every year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds the IAQ Tools for School National Symposium, a national event where over 500 school leaders, teachers and other school staff, nurses, parents, and interested community members meet to discuss the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) and how to develop effective IAQ practices. The 2011 meeting will take place January 13 – 15, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC.
Safe Routes to School: Guidance Toward Getting Students Active
Monday, July 19 – Physical activity among children has become increasingly limited, contributing to childhood obesity - one of the nation’s leading health threats. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership recently introduced a new resource guide for school policymakers and professionals, encouraging educators to bridge the gap between physical activity and academic success. The key? Creating fun, convenient, and safe methods of active transportation to and from school.
Save the Date: Two Webinars on Childhood Obesity Prevention
June 2, 2010 – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity is currently holding a webinar series titled “Making the Grade: Reversing Childhood Obesity in Schools.” The webinars discuss the important links between school environments, health, and academic achievement.
Second Edition of the Healthy School Report Card
November 23, 2010 – ASCD has released the second edition of the Healthy School Report Card. It has been updated to reflect current research, new standards, and best practices.
September 5-11 is Suicide Prevention Week
August 25, 2010 – Sponsored by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), September 5-11 marks the 36th annual National Suicide Prevention Week (NSPW). This year’s theme is “Families, Community Systems and Suicide,” promoting awareness of suicide prevention goals, educating the public about suicide, and involving communities in prevention activities. Through activities, events, conferences, and campaigns, NSPW focuses on raising suicide awareness and prevention and in turn, helping to save lives throughout the nation.
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
September 9, 2010 - On May 20 of this year, Congress passed resolution H.RES.996, establishing September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. The resolution comes on the heels of an obesity epidemic that is affecting not only adults, but also millions of children around the country.
Studies Show Association between School-Based Physical Activity and Academic Performance
May 10, 2010 - A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report provides clear data supporting that youth need recess and physical activity in order to be more attentive and productive in class, and to be healthier to take on the challenge of doing well in school.
Study Shows Recess is Essential to Increasing Academic Achievement
March 19, 2010 – A new report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation describes findings from a survey of nationwide elementary school principals. The survey revealed that principals overwhelmingly believe recess has a positive impact not only on the development of students’ social skills, but also on achievement and learning.
Submit an Application for a 2010 IAQ Tools for Schools Award
June 17, 2010 – Gain national recognition and increase community buy-in for your district’s work in improving indoor air quality (IAQ) by applying for an award sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that highlights schools and school districts having a strong commitment to children's health by promoting good IAQ practices.
The Great American Spit Out is Thursday, February 18
February 18, 2010 – A new report based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that adolescents perceive the risk involved in smoking cigarettes to be greater than that of other substances such as alcohol or marijuana. If this high perception of risk leads to a decrease in smoking initiation, it may reflect positive effects of tobacco prevention efforts. However, the study does not address spit tobacco, which is commonly misunderstood to be a safe alternative to cigarettes.
The Well-being of Our Nation’s Children and Families: America’s Children in Brief 2010
August 24, 2010 – Using statistical data from 22 different Federal agencies, The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics recently released a comprehensive report on the well-being of children and families throughout the nation since 1997. Presenting indicators and demographic background measures, researchers were able to represent large segments of the population and show trends over time, allowing policymakers to better understand real needs within families.
Three New Physical Activity Resources
December 9, 2010 – Three resources were recently made available to help schools be better prepared to implement and offer physical activity programs.
Tobacco Smoke Causes Immediate Damage
December 16, 2010 – U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin released a new report this week showing that harm from secondhand smoke can occur immediately, strengthening the case for tobacco-free schools policies.
Tobacco-Free School Policies are Getting Results
September 14, 2010 – A new study on the effectiveness of school tobacco policies looks at the impact of policies on student smoking in Washington State, United States and Victoria, Australia. The study examines comprehensive tobacco-free school policies – defined as policies that prohibit students, staff, and visitors from smoking anywhere on school grounds as well as at school related activities where students are present -- rates of enforcement, levels of student smoking and perception of smoking by peers.
Upcoming Webinar on Food Marketing in Schools
November 17, 2010 – On Wednesday, December 1, 2010, the National Association of State Boards of Education will be hosting a webinar entitled “School Wellness Policy Leadership: Addressing Marketing in Schools, from State Policy to Classroom Practices.”
Updated School-Located Vaccination Planning Materials
October 7, 2010 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance documents on school-located vaccination (SLV) have been updated and posted on a CDC webpage.
NSBA’s Food Allergies and Schools Webcast – Archived Program Now Available!
December 6, 2011 - Food Allergies and Schools: Keeping Students Safe and Ready to Learn - originally held on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - is now archived and available for viewing and includes closed captioning, that is, the webcast text is displayed on the video screen.
Webinar on Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs for Latino Youth
March 11, 2010 - This month, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy will host a webinar on replicating effective and promising teen pregnancy prevention programs for Latino youth.
White House Announces National HIV/AIDS Strategy and Federal Implementation Plan
August 23, 2010 – Every nine-and-half minutes, an individual is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), one of the leading epidemics in the world. Alone it has claimed the lives of nearly 600,000 Americans, while leaving countless individuals affected. Responding to this increasing public health threat, President Obama recently announced both a National HIV/AIDS Strategy and a Federal Implementation Plan.
White House Launches New Chefs Move to Schools Program
May 28, 2010 - The White House has launched a new initiative as part of the Let’s Move Campaign: the “Chefs Move to Schools” program. This program provides an opportunity for chefs around the country to adopt a local school and work with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition, as part of the larger effort to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.
White House Task Force Outlines Plan to Solve the Childhood Obesity Epidemic within a Generation
May 20, 2010 - The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity catalyzed by Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative has released a report that outlines strategies to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, decreasing it to a rate of just 5% by 2030. The report gives a brief background on childhood obesity, shows who the condition impacts, and highlights its socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, and regional disparities. In addition, it shows how obesity impacts health and outlines it causes; depicts what can be done to solve the epidemic; and reveals how outcomes will be measured.
WHO Declares End To 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic But Virus Is Still Ongoing
August 19, 2010 – According to a recent declaration made by the World Health Organization (WHO), the H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009 has ended. After a global assessment of the virus, the WHO confirmed that the world is now entering a post-pandemic period. What can we now anticipate with the H1N1 virus?
World AIDS Day is December 1
November 12, 2010 – On Wednesday, December 1, 2010, the world will be observing World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is "universal access and human rights."
World No Tobacco Day is May 31st
May 4, 2010 -- World No Tobacco Day is celebrated globally every year on May 31st. The event, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), is an opportunity to educate the public on the negative health outcomes associated with tobacco use and the deceitful marketing practices of tobacco companies, and is also a means of protecting future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
Healthy People 2020 Objectives Include Important Focus Areas for Schools
December 29, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released Healthy People 2020 with a number of new topic areas, including some that are relevant to schools.