Health Education In Victoria Is Designed To Aid Young People

For a health educator to carry out their role effectively, they should understand the complicated processes which may influence an individual to change their behaviour.

The concept of health promotion has emerged with the increasing realisation in society that our health is one of our most valuable personal assets, as well as an asset for society (Crafter, 1997). The Health Promotion Agency (2008) describes health promotion as a process enabling people to

* Curriculum – to make children aware of being healthy and safe in all aspects of life

Discuss the effectiveness of a range of health promotion strategies in relation to young people (6 marks)

Children should be aware of the importance of healthy eating and exercise as well as the meaning of “right and wrong” and “stranger danger”. Still we will not be able to protect them from all the potential dangers in the world but if any problem happens, pupils have to be aware that help is at hand, either from teaching staff in the school or from external organisations specialised in certain fields.

Throughout this coursework I will be writing about different life-stages of my chosen celebrity. My chosen celebrity is Michael Jackson. I will start with physical development and go through intellectual, emotional and social developments.

WHO’s definition of a ‘setting’ in the context of Health Promotion is ‘the place or social context in which people engage in daily activities in which environmental, organisational and personal factors interact to affect health and wellbeing’ (WHO, 1998). The core concept of the approach is dictated in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, 1986. It involves initiating and maintaining a ‘supportive environment for health’ (WHO, 1986) and supports broader efforts of health promotion interventions, incorporating multiple determinants of health at a time. The SBA to HP values public participation, supportive social networks, empowerment, community, and health awareness. This approach aims to achieve positive health outcomes by embedding a health promoting concept into the organisational structure of a central setting such as a school, workplace or prison. It acknowledges a key connection between environment and wellbeing and works to achieve a more sustainable and long-term

The Queensland Government 'Healthier. Happier ' campaign is a key element of the Queensland Government 's strategic approach to address the critical health issue of obesity in Queensland (Queensland Health, 2014). Three million Queenslanders will be overweight or obese by 2020, and overweight and obesity are the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and some musculoskeletal conditions (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016). Based on these current trends, the 'Healthier.Happier ' campaign aims is to address obesity in Queensland by encouraging the adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviours. This essay will critique the 'Healthier.Happier ' campaign by analysing the health promotion strategies and the underlying assumptions used in developing the campaign, as well the reviewing the implications of such strategies.

1. It is important for health education professionals to understand the history of health promotion so history doesn’t repeat itself. We can learn from others past mistakes and triumphs. One important discovery was made by the Egyptians. They were known for their cleanliness at the time and the healthiest. They opened other people’s eyes to hygiene and in 1500 B.C. the Hebrews put together the world’s first written hygienic code. This explained the importance of keeping our bodies clean and how to protect it against contagious diseases. The Greeks continued with this and were one of the first people to put a strong emphasis on disease prevention as well as the treatment of diseases. They emphasized a balance between physical, mental and spiritual

The data found was from Washington States Health Youth Survey Online Analysis in 2014 for 12th graders. “The Health Youth Survey is a collaborative effort of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Service’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, the Liquor and Cannabis Board, and the Department of Commerce. They provide important survey results about health of adolescents in Washington.” (1) The Health Youth Survey question on race/ethnicity asks “How do you describe yourself?” which is broken down into American Indian of Alaskan native, Asian or Asian American/Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latina/Latina, White or Caucasian, and More than one selected/Other. For the lifetime cigarette smoking, just a puff question asks is “Have you ever smoked a cigarette, even just a puff?” which is answered by a yes or no.

Health and Physical Education is a mandatory learning area in the school curriculum which provides opportunities for all students to live healthy and active lifestyles. Schools are recognised as primary settings for developing health-related knowledge and skills. Health and physical education supports students to enhance their own and others’ health. HPE is a learning area of Australian curriculum through which students can make healthier choices. It focuses explicitly on developing movement skills and encourage students to participate in range of physical activities. Therefore, Health and Physical Education is a vital learning area in the school curriculum.

The individual level of health promotion is based on the Ottawa charter action area ‘develop personal skills’ through education and social development an individual is more inclined to seek health promoting behaviour and make more informed health choices. (Who.int, 2016) An example of this is the Australian guide to healthy eating which provides individuals with guidelines on how to make good informed choices when it comes to healthy eating. (Anon, 2016)

1A Before reading ahead in the text, briefly summarize your thoughts on the health of today’s children, and what you hope to learn as a result of your enrollment in this course.

External factors can be recognised as interventions from surrounding environments such as government, school or law. All of these environments provide a wide range of information about health that is available through specific sources and intend to improve the health of people. Although the level of provided information is extensive that does not always mean they are fully competent. There are a few positive interventions made by schools that focus on educating children on the subject of health. One of these interventions is providing physical education in schools, which is needed in present times as children are overwhelmed by electronic devices. It stimulates them to being active and gives an opportunity to take part in a wide range of sporting activities (Y158, cited in L185 Block 3 Session 3, p.13). Another intervention refers to a healthy diet, more specifically to meals that are provided in schools. There is a high involvement of media that comments on what kind of food is served by school kitchens. Parents as well as a society expect that schools offer balanced nutrition and encourage children to take a healthy approach to their diet (Y158, cited in L185 Block 3 Session 3, p.14). One more intervention is educating children about health, which is included in their lessons. Information given during the lessons is focusing on having a greater understanding and knowledge of health matters (Y158, cited in L185 Block 3 Session 3, p.13).

In 1971 the primary curriculum was introduced. This led to most special schools and classes providing a modified curriculum for their students. The Department of Education developed Curriculum Guidelines for Schools for the Moderately Handicapped. One important principle of these guidelines was that children have needs as children that have to be satisfied at school as well as their needs as future adults.