Why is Health Education Important

You want to stay safe and healthy, but sometimes it's hard to know where to get the information you're looking for to help you make good decisions. No one wants to be a statistic, but you need more information about how to eat right, avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and stay safe from violence. Parents can be a great source of information, but not every teenager feels comfortable talking to their mom or dad, and sometimes even parents don't have all the answers.

There are a lot of pressures facing teenagers today. According to a survey of high school students from across Massachusetts, 51% had tried smoking a cigarette, 46% had used illegal drugs, 24% had been bullied in the past year and 45% had had sexual intercourse.1 You want to leave high school ready to go to college or to work, but it's about much more than just mastery math or english - it's about knowing how to stay healthy and safe.

This is why schools should be required to teach comprehensive health education which includes: nutrition, physical activity, mental health, safety and injury prevention, reproduction and sexuality, substance abuse and violence prevention. Right now, Massachusetts public schools don't have to teach health education. Some schools have great health education, while some have none at all.

All students deserve the same access to comprehensive health education, no matter where they live. You have a lot more influence on what happens in your schools than you think. By using your voice, you can make sure that all young people are given the same opportunity to stay healthy and safe.