What’s Health Got to Do with It?

Abstract:
This report identifies the unique risks facing young adolescents and points out the pressing need for school reform at the middle level. Although fostering health and fitness was one of eight areas identified for improvement by the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development in 1989, progress in this area has lagged behind the others. With the emergence of violence and HIV infection as life-threatening public health concerns for young adolescents and with the persistence of teenage pregnancy and substance abuse, the need is greater than ever for middle level schools to implement comprehensive health programs. The report addresses the connection between health problems and risk of school failure, as well as barriers to complete health programs and the role of health programs within school reform. In addition, the importance of school structures and policies, health instruction, and community linkages are discussed. The report concludes that integrating health programs with other restructuring efforts can maximize efforts and resources toward common outcomes.

Author(s): TANAKA, Gail

Publication: Midpoints Occasional Papers, vol. 6, number 1


Date Published: 2/1/1996

Pages: 11

Comments:
Alternate phone number: 614-895-4730.

Location Code: 11124