Creating safe and
drug-free schools
Health — a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. — Preamble to the Constitution, World Health Organization
Violence Prevention Objectives - Reduce homicides in 10- to 19-year olds. - Reduce physical fighting among 9th- to 12th-grade students. - Reduce weapon carrying by 9th- to 12th-graders on school grounds.
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| Healthy People 2010: The Nation’s Youths Are High Priority |
The Healthy People 2010 initiative, the second decade-long promotion aimed at improving our nation’s health, is nearly at its midpoint. Priorities for youths make up almost a quarter of the objectives. The two overarching goals of Healthy People 2010 are:
The initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, relies on input of most federal agencies and hundreds of national and state organizations to identify ways to meet priority objectives. The two overarching goals are supported by 467 objectives in 28 focus areas including injury and violence prevention, cancer, diabetes, and substance abuse prevention. The National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health by the Year 2010 was developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a companion initiative focused on priorities for the nation’s youths. Among those priorities are: preventing violence and substance abuse and improving mental health account for 9 of the 21 critical health objectives. The objectives seek to reduce risky behaviors or increase positive factors by specific percentages from their 1999 levels. Every citizen, community, and state should be encouraged to take steps to increase health. Some of the things schools can do include:
For guidance, the National Adolescent Health Information Center offers Improving the Health of Adolescents & Young Adults: A Guide for States and Communities. The book can be downloaded or ordered for free online at www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/ adolescenthealth/guide/order.htm. |
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Objectives
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