Health Education: The Basic of the Basics

Student Knowledge of Health and Fitness Concepts and its Relation to Locus of Control

“…According to Garrard's (1986) review of health education and science education, science teachers are involved in health education through the incorporation of health-related topics within general science and biology curricula and through the teaching of health education as a separate subject. However, while most school curricula include the study of health, incorporating the topic in both science and physical education programs (Pollack & Hamburg. 1985), students often leave school without a clear understanding of many health concepts (Peers & Christie, 1984;Skinner & Woodbum, 1984).…”

Health Education and Science Education: changing roles, common goals?

“…Rather, there are formidable political, philosophical, and economic barriers to implementation, not least of which is the current 'back to basics' movement which sees health education as an educational 'frill'. Health educators have argued vigorously for health education as a basic, not only claiming that health education improves the health and well-being of citizens of the future (Pollock and Hamburg 1985), but also that health education teaches important intellectual skills and that healthy children learn better (Brown et al 1985).…”

“…Although many health educators continue to press for comprehensive school health education from kindergarten through to grade 12 using specialised health education teachers (Pollock and Hamburg 1985), Kreuter et al (1984) argue that the efficacy of a 'single subject' versus a 'health across the curriculum' approach is an important, researchable question. While the relative value of the two approaches has not been evaluated, both methods are used in practice.…”

Implementation of mandated health concepts in the curricula of Iowa secondary schools

“…The origins of health education in schools have been well documented in the literature (Brownell, 1949;Kolbe, 1985;Mayshark & Irwin, 1968;Means, 1962;Nolte, 1985;O'Rourke, 1985;Pollock, 1987;Pollock & Hamburg, 1985;Turner, 1939;Veselak, 1959). Even as early as the eighteenth century, schools were used as important vehicles for transmitting health information to insure a healthier nation.…”

“…In the literature, there have been several viewpoints on the importance of school health (Cortese;, Kolbe, 1985O'Rourke, 1985;Pollock & Hamburg, 1985;Purdy & Tritsch, 1985). Cortese (1985) provided a synthesis of the various reasons why school health is necessary.…”