Polish faculties anticipate to introduce a long-awaited well being training programme, aimed toward addressing public well being issues and selling wholesome life amongst kids.

On 25 January, Bartłomiej Chmielowiec, the Patient Ombudsman, appealed to the Ministry of National Education urging consideration for the inclusion of a brand new topic referred to as “Health Knowledge” within the curriculum. Just six days later, Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, introduced that efforts are underway to develop a health education programme for faculties.

“Health education will build students’ knowledge, skills and positive attitudes towards health,” Chmielowiec stated to EURACTIV. “The task of health education is to motivate school children to improve and maintain their health, prevent disease and reduce risky behaviour,” he added.

Prevention isn’t just for adults

Current preventive programmes and well being promotion initiatives predominantly goal adults, neglecting to ascertain the inspiration for a wholesome society in the course of the essential early college years. Yet, when components of well being training are built-in into college curricula, they usually give attention to matters equivalent to psychoactive substances, aggression prevention, and first support.

For years, consultants have been advocating for the implementation of well being training as a separate topic in faculties, however little motion has been taken on this route. However, the attraction from the affected person ombudsman could lastly set issues in movement.

The ombudsman elucidated that the incorporation of broader well being training as a faculty topic would equip college students with very important expertise for making well-informed choices regarding well being, vitamin, affected person rights and duties, the significance of preventive measures, and assessing the effectiveness of vaccinations.

“Health education will also cover topics such as human sexuality, mental health prevention, and fostering respect for LGBT individuals and their sexuality,” Chmielowiec stated.

Cultivate optimistic attitudes

Moreover, Chmielowiec believes that fostering well being competencies, cultivating optimistic attitudes in kids and youth, and selling respect for others will contribute to improved self-health administration, the avoidance of dangerous behaviours sooner or later, and the cultivation of an inclusive, respectful angle in the direction of others.

In addition to his attraction, the Patient Ombudsman additionally furnished the Minister of Education with developed lesson plans and an informational booklet on affected person rights for grades 1-3 of main faculties, accompanied by a poster illustrating the compiled rights of the child-patient. These supplies have been collaboratively ready with the Educational Development Centre.

Reaction of ministries 

The Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, confirmed on  31 January that growth of a brand new health education programme for faculties is underway. Emphasising the need of well being prevention in faculties, she said: “Together with Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka, we aim to focus on health knowledge. We have already begun working on it, and I am hopeful it will benefit everyone.”

The Minister of Education, Barbara Nowacka, reiterated this throughout a conference on health education and oncological prevention held on 12 February. She underscored the significance of guaranteeing that well being information taught in faculties is each trendy and free from prejudice and beliefs. “Schools play a crucial role in teaching important topics, with health education and prevention being among the most significant,” she added. 

Health training in EU

Studies have proven that health literacy needs to be integrated into the core curriculum as kids enter college and supported by a health-promoting college surroundings. This advice relies on the premise that early training and supportive college environments play an important function in fostering lifelong well being behaviours.

This is the rationale why, in Poland, each professionals and people have pushed for the inclusion of health-related instruction within the academic curriculum.

As emphasised by the Patient Ombudsman, a number of European nations have carried out a devoted topic to foster well being consciousness amongst potential sufferers. “Health education is being implemented in Finland, Cyprus, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Norway, among others,” he knowledgeable EURACTIV.

These programmes generally embrace intensive coaching for educators to facilitate the proficient supply of well being training content material. While approaches to well being training in faculties differ amongst nations, the overarching goal stays constant: integrating well being training into college curricula to encourage knowledgeable decision-making and domesticate wholesome life amongst college students.

[By Paulina Mozolewska, Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire| Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]

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