Health Promotion School Plan Takes Shape

On April 14, 2024, Sung Ki-hwang, a member of the Gyeonggi-do Council’s Education Planning Committee, convened with the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education’s physical education department to discuss and report on the ‘2025 Health Promotion School Operation plan.’ This initiative aims to create school environments that actively promote student well-being and physical fitness.

The core of the plan revolves around developing diverse health promotion school models that reflect the unique characteristics of local communities and individual schools. These models will support customized health promotion activities, designed to improve students’ overall health and physical strength. This approach mirrors successful strategies implemented in U.S. schools, such as incorporating personalized fitness plans and nutritional guidance tailored to specific student needs and demographics.

Sung Ki-hwang emphasized the importance of local input: “We must fully reflect the voices of the school site in the process of the project. As the school size and conditions are different in each region, it is necessary to balance it so that it is not biased in certain areas.” This sentiment resonates with the U.S.educational landscape, where community involvement is crucial for the success of school-based health initiatives. Such as, parent-teacher associations (PTAs) often play a key role in shaping school wellness policies and advocating for resources that support student health.

Addressing the variety of school sizes and resources is a critical component. In the U.S.,similar challenges exist,with disparities in funding and access to resources between affluent and underserved school districts. Strategies to address these disparities frequently enough involve targeted funding, resource sharing, and collaborative partnerships between schools and community organizations.

Combating E-cigarette Use Among Students

The discussion also addressed the growing concern surrounding the use of liquid e-cigarettes among students. members of the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education are actively preparing for ordinances related to the prevention of addiction and abuse, aiming to systematically educate students about the risks associated with these products. This proactive approach mirrors efforts in the U.S., where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping among youth.

the rise of e-cigarette use among teenagers in the U.S. has prompted a wave of legislative action, including raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products and banning flavored e-cigarettes, which are notably appealing to young people. Schools across the country are also implementing educational programs and stricter disciplinary policies to discourage vaping on campus.

The discussion on e-cigarettes highlights a global concern. According to the CDC, as reported in their 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, current e-cigarette use was more common among high school students (10.0%) then middle school students (2.8%). This data underscores the need for targeted prevention and education efforts to curb vaping among adolescents.

“E-cigarette use is unsafe, especially for kids, teens, and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commitment to Student Health Rights

Representative Sung Ki-hwang underscored the importance of student health rights: “The promotion and protection of students’ health rights is an essential element for creating a learning surroundings,so we will ask the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education to continue to work and the council cooperation to form a healthy body and proper lifestyle.” This statement aligns with the growing recognition in the U.S.of the link between student health and academic success. schools are increasingly adopting a “whole child” approach, which emphasizes the importance of addressing students’ physical, social, and emotional needs in order to create a supportive and effective learning environment.

This holistic approach is mirrored in programs across the United States. As a notable exmaple, many schools now offer mindfulness and stress-reduction programs to address student mental health. These programs aim to equip students with coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact their academic performance and overall well-being.