Health Literacy in School-Based Health Programmes: A Case Study in One Australian School

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Health Literacy in School-Based Health Programmes: A Case Study in One Australian School
Language: English
Authors: Peralta, Louisa R. (ORCID 0000-0002-6205-8676), Cinelli, Renata L., Marvell, Claire L.
Source: Health Education Journal. Oct 2021 80(6):648-659.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Elementary Education
Grade 7
Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Grade 8
Grade 9
High Schools
Grade 10
Descriptors: Health Education, Health Programs, School Activities, Foreign Countries, Health Promotion, Physical Education, Secondary School Students, Catholic Schools, Single Sex Schools, Males, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Program Implementation
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1177/00178969211003600
ISSN: 0017-8969
Abstract: Objective: The ability of schools, school leaders and teachers to promote critical health literacy in teaching and learning is central to the development of health literacy in schools. However, research focusing on teachers and planning for health literacy through health programmes in school is minimal. This paper describes how one school Health and Physical Education (HPE) department planned for and implemented health literacy learning across Years 7-10 as part of the first-year delivery of the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education in New South Wales, Australia. Design: Single setting case study. Setting: A Years 7-10 Catholic school for boys. The HPE department comprised five teachers and one head of department. Method: Thirty-four lessons and 61 learning activities were analysed using Nutbeam's health literacy hierarchy and the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education outcomes and content. Results: A large number of learning activities were categorised as interactive (n = 37, 60.7%) and a smaller number of learning activities categorised as critical (n = 16, 26.2%). The number of learning activities categorised as functional was the smallest (n = 5, 8.1%). Conclusion: Findings suggest that school-based health programmes that lack a connection to a whole school approach may fail to provide opportunities for students to achieve the critical understandings of health literacy that will provide them with the capability to enhance the health of others.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1307407
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Objective: The ability of schools, school leaders and teachers to promote critical health literacy in teaching and learning is central to the development of health literacy in schools. However, research focusing on teachers and planning for health literacy through health programmes in school is minimal. This paper describes how one school Health and Physical Education (HPE) department planned for and implemented health literacy learning across Years 7-10 as part of the first-year delivery of the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education in New South Wales, Australia. Design: Single setting case study. Setting: A Years 7-10 Catholic school for boys. The HPE department comprised five teachers and one head of department. Method: Thirty-four lessons and 61 learning activities were analysed using Nutbeam's health literacy hierarchy and the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education outcomes and content. Results: A large number of learning activities were categorised as interactive (n = 37, 60.7%) and a smaller number of learning activities categorised as critical (n = 16, 26.2%). The number of learning activities categorised as functional was the smallest (n = 5, 8.1%). Conclusion: Findings suggest that school-based health programmes that lack a connection to a whole school approach may fail to provide opportunities for students to achieve the critical understandings of health literacy that will provide them with the capability to enhance the health of others.
ISSN:0017-8969
DOI:10.1177/00178969211003600