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Project SHARE Curriculum: Health Literacy

Student Health Advocates Redefining Empowerment

Health Literacy

In the Health Literacy lesson, students are introduced to the world of medical information.  We look at tools to help students understand medical terminology and provide guidelines for finding reliable health-related information online. The goal is to help students build capacity to obtain and understand basic health information, and to distinguish health-related facts from opinions.

Lesson Objectives:

  • Develop a set of tools to use when looking for definitions of medical terms
  • Demonstrate skills in using an established set of criteria to find valid health-related information online
  • Apply the concept of health literacy and analyze how it relates to health behavior

Materials:

  • Instructor computer and projector
  • Student computers/computer classroom
  • Blackboard or whiteboard
  •  Handouts – slides
  • Other: Microsoft Office Word (to measure readability of a document)

National Health Education Standards that Align with the Health Literacy Lesson

  • 3.12.1 Evaluate the validity of health information, products, and services.
  • 3.12.2 Use resources from home, school, and community that provide valid health information.
  • 3.12.3 Determine the accessibility of products and services that enhance health.
  • 3.12.5 Access valid and reliable health products and services.
  • 8.12.1 Utilize accurate peer and societal norms to formulate a health-enhancing message.
  • 8.12.2 Demonstrate how to influence and support others to make positive health choices.
  • 8.12.3 Work cooperatively as an advocate for improving personal, family, and community health.
  • 8.12.4 Adapt health messages and communication techniques to a specific target audience.

National Strategies that Align with the SHARE Curriculum

Healthy People 2020 Objectives

AH-2      Increase the proportion of adolescents who participate in extracurricular and/or out-of-school activities.

AH-3.2   Increase the proportion of parents who attend events and activities in which their adolescents participate.

National Partnership for Action

Goal 1         Awareness - Increase awareness of the significance of health disparities, their impact on the nation, and the actions necessary to improve health outcomes for racial, ethnic, and underserved populations.

Strategy 2: Develop and support partnerships among public, nonprofit, and private entities to provide a comprehensive infrastructure to increase awareness, drive action, and ensure accountability in efforts to end health disparities and achieve health equity across the lifespan.

Goal 2:        Leadership - Strengthen and broaden leadership for addressing health disparities at all levels.

Strategy 7:  Invest in young people to prepare them to be future leaders and practitioners by actively engaging and including them in the planning and execution of health, wellness and safety initiatives.