Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, as defined by the World Health Organization. Nationally, there is growing interest in preventing health problems and promoting behaviors that improve individual and community health. The challenge is to use what has been learned about effective strategies to prevent health adversities and to encourage the widespread and consistent practice of healthy behaviors.
Due to changing family conditions and numbers of students attending school with health problems, the traditional role of providing assessment and screening for all students has broadened to include a focus on the physical condition of younger students, as well as substance abuse, early pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease among older students. School health encompasses a range of activities that promote and protect student health. (http://www.maine.gov/education/sh/contents/)
- In your opinion how much responsibility should public schools take for the health of their students?
- Would you consider that public schools with a fairly strong and active health program are crossing over from the business of just an educator to that of a public health/health care provider?
- Who should pay for these additional services and programs for our children?