Safety and Disease Prevention
We can help children understand their role in protecting themselves and others from unintentional danger, risk, injury, or disease.
What’s In Our Air
More and more our health is being adversely affected by dirty air, pollutants in our water, hazardous substances, and toxic materials in our soil and on our food.
Immunization
Immunization has been called the most important public health intervention in history, after safe drinking water.
Physical Disease / Disorders
In spite of personal health care, children are potential victims of chronic disease and many physical disorders. Cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, and cystic fibrosis are but a few serious illnesses that can threaten the lives of children. Parents and teachers should be encouraged to tune in to physical signals that may be observed in their children or students.
Screenings
Helping with screening for Eyes, Scoliosis, Ears, Speech and for several health issues, simple screening procedures at school can detect physical problems that can be treated successfully if caught early.
Personal Care and Hygiene
Proper care of teeth, eyes, ears, nose, skin, and hair have physical as well as social implications. Many teachers will invite health professionals to make presentations about these specific subjects in their classrooms.
Safety
Promoting safety is important as well. For more information please visit the Safety Commissioner page.
Resources:
Ideas:
- Promote Immunizations with children
- Sponsor “Safe Walking Routes” and “Walk to School Days”
- Practice Good Hygiene
- Teach best practices with Helmets, Seat Belts, Playground Safety, etc…
- Help educate parents and teachers about possible acute and chronic childhood diseases and ways to recognize signs of common physical disorders.
- Sponsor a health fair.
- Encourage doctors to include screening for the above-mentioned disorders in regular physical exams.
- Utilize health professionals in implementation of screening in consultation with school district health personnel. The school nurse or health professional should train ALL volunteers in screening procedures. Follow parental consent requirements, which may vary between districts.
- Educate parents and students about the importance of regular exams, including eye and dental care.
- Include demonstrations in a school health fair and publish articles in newsletters.
- If head lice are detected in your school, don’t panic! Assure parents that this is a common problem that can happen to anyone and that the school is addressing the problem. Follow the procedures for lice screening and prevention.