New School Health Profiles

August 26, 2011 – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released the 2010 School Health Profiles.  The Profiles have been conducted every two years since 1996 and include state, local, territorial, and tribal surveys of principals and lead health education teachers in middle and high schools.  The survey is designed to provide information on five of the eight components of coordinated school health: health education, physical education, health services, healthy and safe school environment, and family and community involvement, as well as requirements, policies, activities, and programs related to those components. 

Participation in the 2010 Profiles cycle included all 49 states, 19 cities, five territories, and two tribal governments.  The 2010 Profiles reveals, for instance, that across states, cities, and territories, the median percentage of middle and high schools that required physical education for students in any of grades 6 through 12 exceeded 95 percent, but schools also allowed exemptions from required physical education for enrollment in other courses and participation in other school or community activities. 

According to the Profiles report, state and local education and health agencies use Profiles data to describe school health policies and practices, identify professional development needs, plan and monitor programs, support health-related policies and legislation, seek funding, and garner support for future surveys.  In addition, the use of Profiles data can help promote program strengths and advocate for resources to address weaknesses.

To access the full report as well as specific Profiles fact sheets and presentations, click here.  To learn more about coordinated school health (CSH), access NSBA’s CSH “101” Packet.

Source: “Profiles 2010: School Health Profiles – Characteristics of Health Programs Among Secondary Schools in Selected U.S. Sites, CDC, 2011.”