NATIONAL HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARDS
STANDARD #1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease
prevention to enhance health. The acquisition of basic health concepts and functional health
knowledge provides a foundation for promoting health-enhancing behaviors among youth. This
standard includes essential concepts that are based on established health behavior theories and
models.
STANDARD #2: Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology
and other factors on health behaviors. Health is impacted by a variety of positive and negative
influences within society. This standard focuses on identifying and understanding the diverse
internal and external factors that influence health practices and behaviors among youth including
personal values, beliefs and perceived norms.
STANDARD #3: Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information and products
and services to enhance health. Accessing valid health information and health-promoting products
and services is critical in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of health problems. This
standard focuses on how to identify and access valid health resources and to reject unproven sources.
Applying the skills of analysis, comparison and evaluation of health resources empowers students to
achieve health literacy.
STANDARD #4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication
skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks. Responsible individuals use verbal and
non-verbal skills to develop and maintain healthy personal relationships. The ability to organize
and to convey information and feelings is the basis for strengthening interpersonal interactions and
reducing or avoiding conflict.
STANDARD #5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance
health. This standard includes the essential steps needed to make healthy decisions, which are
essential for establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When applied to health issues, the
decision-making process enables individuals to collaborate with others to improve quality of life.
STANDARD #6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance
health. This standard includes the critical steps needed to achieve both short-term and long-term
health goals. These skills make it possible for individuals to have aspirations and plans for the future.
STANDARD #7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors
and avoid or reduce health risks. Many diseases and injuries can be prevented by avoiding
or reducing harmful and risk taking behaviors. This standard promotes accepting personal
responsibility for health and encourages the practice of healthy behaviors.
STANDARD #8: Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and
community health. Advocacy skills help students adopt and promote healthy norms and healthy
behaviors. This standard helps students develop important skills to target their health enhancing
messages and to encourage others to adopt healthy behaviors.