The goal of health education is to provide Kentucky students with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), “research shows a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievement (e.g., grades, standardized tests, graduation rates, attendance).” Skill development, in conjunction with opportunities for creating and reinforcing healthy behaviors, focuses on personal decision-making, goal setting, self-management, interpersonal communication, accessing information, analyzing influences and advocacy. When these skills are combined with foundational health-related information, students are equipped to navigate today’s complex society and lead healthy lifestyles.

Standard 1: Students will comprehend content related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health. Standard 2: Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology and other factors on health behaviors. Standard 3: Access valid information, products and services to enhance health. Standard 4: Use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks. Standard 5: Use decision-making skills to enhance healthy behaviors. Standard 6: Use goal-setting skills to enhance healthy behaviors. Standard 7: Practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks. Standard 8: Advocate for personal, family and community health.