This session will take place in the Triple Crown Room.
Most textbooks provide information about a range of topics related to health, especially topics that have proven popular in school settings. The biggest difference between the
HealthSmart program and a more traditional health textbook is that the primary goal of
HealthSmart is to use science-informed approaches to
impact students’ health behaviors in a positive way.
Research on what makes a health education program effective is ongoing. But there are a number of qualities or characteristics that research has found in programs that work. Incorporating these best practices has been key to the development of the second edition of
HealthSmart, and the program meets the
15 Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum (Opens in new tab) defined by the CDC.
The very first characteristic on the CDC list is that an effective program
“focuses on clear health goals and related behavioral outcomes.” That is the top priority for
HealthSmart as well!
