School Libraries

Promoting Health Instruction throughout the Curriculum

Abstract

Health education is a major social, educational and political issue in today’s world and it is fundamentally tied to teacher-librarians and their important roles in promoting information literacy. Although this may be considered a new responsibility for schools, history shows that since the 19th century, schools have played vital roles in the prevention of diseases and in encouraging better health behaviors. This presentation presents some of the major current developments in health information literacy including guidelines suggested by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control through its CHSP program (Coordinated Health School Program). This program emphasizes the importance of schools serving all grades as important agents in promotion health information. UNESCO’s suggestions on how health information can be integrated in all curriculum areas are likewise highlighted in this discussion. Overall, the emphasis is practical and presents concrete suggestions about how teacher-librarians can and are assuming a leadership role in promoting health information literacy. Included are overviews of instructional strategies that have proven successful in promotion better health information in various communities. A major portion of the presentation highlights how health instruction can be integrated into curriculum areas that have not often been considered as venues for health information. These areas include literature, biography, art, music, and dance. For example, musicians, dancers, and artists, like athletes, have health issues that must be carefully considered in fulfilling their artistic goals. Likewise, biography offers examples of personalized models showing how a variety of persons have faced health crises. The presentation concludes with a review of how globalization is influencing health issues and how the teacher-librarian can better respond to those important developments now and in the future.