School Health
Health and education are closely connected and research shows that healthy students are better learners. Since young people spend much of their day in school, this setting has an important role in the health of children and youth.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recognizes this important link between health and education and supports school health through the Joint Consortium for School Health (JCSH) Fund, which in turn supports a Health Promoting Schools approach. Health Promoting Schools (also known as Comprehensive School Health) is an internationally recognized approach that supports improvements in students' educational outcomes while addressing school health in a planned, integrated, and holistic way. Research has shown that Health Promoting Schools is an effective way to improve both health and educational outcomes, and to encourage healthy behaviours that last a lifetime.
Under the JCSH Fund, PHAC funds the Pan-Canadian JCSH Secretariat to bring together ministries responsible for health and education from most provinces and territories to support school health. JCSH members share information and exchange knowledge to support the health and well-being of school-aged children and youth by way of a Health Promoting Schools approach.
PHAC also funds Queen's University to lead the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Canada. The HBSC is a World Health Organization, on-going, cross-national research study of youth aged 11 to 15 years old that collects data every 4 years. Canada has participated in every cycle of the HBSC since 1989. Results from each cycle are published online in national and international reports.
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