Worldwide Experience in School Health

A tremendous body of research over the last two decades has illustrated the interdependence of health and education, and the impact of socioeconomic factors on health. HHD has played a major role in advocating for and establishing school health programs, and building collaborations between health, education, and other relevant sectors in the process. Worldwide Experience in School Health highlights HHD’s work in school health since 1977.

One of HHD’s initial programs, Teenage Health Teaching Modules, became one of the first comprehensive adolescent health education curricula in the United States to provide a framework for addressing a broad array of health issues and focus on life skills development. It is currently used in 49 states and five other countries. An independent evaluation found that the curriculum produced positive effects on students' health knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors.

Since 1991, HHD staff have served as consultants and advisors to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global School Health Initiative. In this role, staff have worked with ministries of health and education, schools, community-based organizations, and other partners to implement all facets of school health programs and develop the necessary materials and tools to make it possible. We have also worked internationally with UN agencies as well as CARICOM.

Our services strengthen the capacity of ministries of health and education, schools, community-based organizations, and other partners to improve the health and well-being of students and staff through:

• Advocacy
• Policy development
• Curriculum and training materials
• Training and technical assistance
• Assessment and strategic planning
• Synthesis of research
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Information and communication technology

Over the last fifteen years, HHD has been at the forefront of the shift from single, uncoordinated school health programs to multiple, coordinated strategies. This comprehensive approach to school health targets some of the world’s most challenging health issues, including HIV and AIDS, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and violence.