Health Promotion in School - Case Study Example

Health Promotion Name Institution School communities that take considerable action and lays substantial priority on creating an environment that will have the best possible impact on the health of the students, staff and the larger community is key in promoting health. This is attributed to the fact that, it promotes and protects the health of its members, where health encompasses the dimensions of social, physical and emotional wellbeing (Keller & Lehmann, 2008). In the same case, the main purpose of health promotion activities in schools is to enhance educational outcome and most importantly facilitating action for health by building health knowledge and skills in the cognitive, social and behavioral domains. In Regional NSW, there are different classes of people and health promotion activities are the only way out in these cases. Sea Change for instance has reported cases of flooding and loss of natural habitat. Additionally; Pearl Bay and the South have concentrated settlements. Among these populations, most people use private motor vehicles for 84.4% use the same. Amongst the small percentage that uses bicycles are at 22.8% where most of them do so for recreation. This therefore means that, this population maybe exposed to numerous health issues which need to be addressed immediately. There are three issues which put the health of these communities at stake, just to mention but a few. First, in the densely populated areas like Pearl Bay and the South can easily transmit diseases if health Issues are not addressed adequately and the populations informed on how to be partisans of their own good health. Moreover, Use of private cars is immense and therefore physical activities are incapacitated. The level of income of most families may also determine the type of food in the entire family. This proposal addressed these issues whereby there is a need for deep education and awareness about health topics like healthy eating, physical activities, diabetes and cancer. For this information to be addressed in the schools then it will mean that, it can effectively be disseminated to the larger community easily and health promotion becomes a success (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). However, there is a need to have full support from the management, have effective communication to the students, establish a working group with clear terms of references, plan and implement initiatives in response to the findings of the health needs assessment and finally evaluate how effective the initiative is. It is also worth noting that, there are notable interactions between schools and young people and this provides a very vital opportunity for health promotion which can be sustained and reinforced even in the future (Keller & Lehmann, 2008). From a social justice perspective, there are broad reach of schools and therefore many children can be reached irrespective of their socioeconomic status, ethnicity and location. It is also in such places where their health concerns can be addressed adequately. Research depict that, school health programs, their curriculum, environment and community have the highest probability of improving the health of school children and this goes without saying that the entire community will also be reached by the health initiatives (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). Informative and educational perspectives are proposed in this article. Improved collaboration between health and educational sectors and development of adequate monitoring progress and evaluating health outcome must also be a part and parcel. It is clear that, if young people between the age of 8-18 years are equipped with the basic knowledge about health issues, then there are high chances that they will adopt the health enhancing behaviors. Research state that, provision of information will lead to behavior change. This therefore means that schools can make a difference in the health knowledge, competencies and even the health status of the student and the community in the long run (Keller & Lehmann, 2008). Students have are exposed to many skills and competencies in schools. This therefore means that, they are better placed to gain substantial skills and competencies which include techniques for problem solving, decision making, refusal skills, negotiations and most importantly behavior contracting and mediation. Children in schools are the beneficiaries of this initiative of health promotion activity of health education and awareness (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). When they are educated of the importance of physical activity and the importance of good nutrition, then there are high chances that the population in NSW will be vastly equipped with health information, if employed can change the entire health status of the community. Since this education, information and awareness is disseminated to the students, they will on the other hand create a safer and more sanitary environment, educated their parents, other children and the community at large and learn about health by doing (C A, 2009). This therefore means that, if the health status of the community, which is exposed to many health hazards including lifestyles, giving knowledge, attitudes, values and skills to this children will help them embrace a health promoting lifestyle. It is therefore worth noting that, the only way of reaching to the larger community, without many expenses is through the school where most of the homes are represented. Information is power. This entails that, by informing and educating students of health habits and how to manage their entire health status, is empowering them and empowering those living in their neighborhood to maintain healthy habits for the common good of all (Keller & Lehmann, 2008). Having well laid plans to educate and provide information that is connected to the health issues affecting people is of great importance. Health education provides individuals and groups with the knowledge, value and skills that encourage effective action for health (Polit & Beck , 2010). This is the reason why education has been the biggest emphasis in achieving the required health promotion initiative. This therefore means that, the most important thing in health management is through making sure that the students and the entire community is aware of how to maintain and improve their health, reduce disease risks and management of diseases including the chronic ones (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). This will entirely improve the wellbeing and the self sufficiency of individuals, families and communities. Change of behavior is vital in this strategy. This initiative will include those children who can read, understand and write. Meaning, that it will involve students from 9 years and above; it is going to be a continuous process whereby, when children attain the age of 9, they will have to undergo the whole training and development. For example, because the highest population uses private cars in every activity, obesity and heart diseases are inevitable. This means that, there is a need to equip the student with full information regarding the risks they are exposed in, so that their behaviors can be changed (Keller & Lehmann, 2008). First, creating awareness through magazines and hand bills will be essential for these materials will in the long run land to the hands of their parents. In the same case, fostering incidental exercise and active lifestyle through physical and built environments are very essential. Students must be made aware that, lack of physical activities may lead to obesity or cardiovascular diseases. This will be essential to the biggest community who uses their private cars and thus never involve their bodies in walking and any vigorous activity (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). In communities like the South and Pearl Bay, teaching the students on how to keep their environment clean and maintain fresh air is very important. In densely populated area, communicable diseases can have detrimental effects. Equipping the students on how to make sure that all risk factors are eliminated is very vital in order to achieve the desired goals and objectives as far as health is concerned. There is a very urgent need to make information and awareness available regarding nutrition. There has to be a reduction of energy dense and nutrient poor foods. The economic status of some communities may subject them to very poor nutrition. However, even with the little that they earn, there are foods that they can take which give them all nutrients, balanced diets. In the same case, those who are financially capable can put their health at risk by taking foods which may be harmful to their health in the near of far future (Webb, 2011). Educating these students on food nutrition and the importance of having a balanced diet is of vital importance. Walking and incidental exercises must be increased. Increased reliance on private cars as the only mode of transport has negative impact on a person’s energy expenditure (McMurray & Clendon, 2010). Student must be made to understand that, increased amount of walking and physical activities is important to their health and can assist them even to manage their weight even in the future. In the entire process of educating and creating health awareness amongst the students, there are several aspects that will be used if this initiative will have to be effective (Keller & Lehmann, 2008). First is the use of newsletter/print media. The first thing why this should be used is because they will reach even the larger community. They serve vital purposes; provide information/education. One this that will be emphasized in these articles is clear language. This will make sure that anybody who comes along the article can read and understand its content. Secondly, organizing events at school which cerebrate existing events in the community such as heart run will make sure that, students and teachers are actively involved in activities that advocate for good health even to the larger community (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). This will also make parents and guidance to be involved in the same events and in the long run make them aware of the pros and cons of the health. Health screening and health risk assessments are yet other aspects that will assist in ensuring that students know their condition and how they can change any behaviors or even improve those that are vital to their health (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). Most of the students do not have regular contact with the physician and therefore this is for their own good and will also impact them to a culture of having regular health checkup. Health risk assessments will include health education components. HRAs give information only. In actual facts, they are considered to be awareness raising activities. Each and every material that is aimed at propagating good health activities will have to be made available. To make it a success, educational materials will be made available to all students involved and will be easily accessible. This means that the library will have enough materials where students can have access to them and also in the classes, simple pamphlet holders will be made to accommodate this. In the same case, organizing games and plays which are correlated to the health awareness is also a vital aspect. There will be a link between schools local education, health authorities and health trusts to encourage schools so that they can continually promote health (Keller & Lehmann, 2008). Schools which are developing in line with the health promotion criteria will be recognized and rewarded. This will act as a motivation factor which is also very vital to ensure hand on participation of schools and their management in the entire community. If this proposal is accepted, it is clear that education is the only way out for the entire health promotion activity. This is attributed to the fact that, research depict that, health promotion through school have tremendous impact on both the social and the physical environments of the school, community and the entire community that is linked to the school. There is substantial evidence that students self esteem is tremendous, dietary intake can be intervened during the education and awareness creation program in the school. The evaluation of a small number of such an intervention has been carried out in large and expansive studies using various design, attention to detail through reporting. This approach remains methodologically challenging and very little attention has been given to the avenues in which the intervention and the evaluation impact on each other (Glanz, Rimmer & Viswanath, 2008). In the same case, there is need to have more vast and deep study and understanding of the aims of health promoting school and the most effective ways of evaluating the interventions. This intervention will leave a land mark in the lives of these children. Healthy eating habits and physical activities are important in their development and will also act as catalyst to their performance. Habits and attitude that will be developed in this case will last for a life time. This therefore means that training them to eat healthy foods and having physical activities during their childhood will mean that chances are high that they will continue the same even in old age. By employing this initiative to the school children, the impact will also impact the decisions their parents and caregivers make, so that even their families can live healthy lives. In the same case, it noteworthy that supporting and developing well informed children will help grow a generation of healthier people and build a culture if health and well being throughout the region. References Australia, C. o. (2009). Australia: the healthiest country by 2020 National Preventative Health Strategy – the roadmap for action. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Glanz K, Rimmer B, Viswanath K. ( 2008.). Health Behavior and Health Education Theory, Research and Practice, Fourth Edition. London: Wiley & Sons. Keller PA and Lehmann DR. ( 2008). Design effective health communications: a meta-analysis. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 117-130. McMurray, A., and Clendon, J. . (2010). Community health and wellness: primary health care in practice. 4th edition, . Elsevier Australia: Chatswood, NSW. Polit, D. F., & Tatano Beck, C. . (2010). Study guide for essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice (7th ed.). . Philadelphia, PA:: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Webb, L. (2011). Nursing: Communication skills in practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Read More