The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64128

Trent E. Applegate, MS, ATC, MPH and Mohammad Rahim Torabi, PhD, MPH. Dept. of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, 1025 E. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, 812-856-4009, tapplega@indiana.edu

As college health educators and other health professionals call for a campus community working together to teach students about health and healthy behaviors, an appropriate model would seem to be that of the Coordinated School Health Programs (CSHP). This research involved identifying whether college health educators in the academic setting and health education administrators are working with the other component areas in the CSHP model. The research also points out the differences in CSHP use by level or size of the institution. Further, it reveals if there is a feeling among college health educators and administrators that the CSHP model could be beneficial at the higher education level. The problem of this study was to test the use of CSHP as a model for bringing together the many components used by college students to learn about health. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of faculty health educators and administrators listed with the American Association of Health Education, Eta Sigma Gamma, and National Survey of Student Engagement. Quantitative and qualitative data serve to show if CSHP is being used in higher education and the attitudes of college health educators and administrators regarding CSHP usage. Results of this study provided evidence that CSHP is a valuable tool for educating college students about health and their health behaviors. This project may serve to increase the awareness of CSHP and the importance of all health professionals to communicate and work together to educate college students about health.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• Determine if college health educators at the faculty level and administrators are working with the other components of CSHP.
• Recognize the similarities and differences in CSHP component interaction at the varying Carnegie classifications of higher education institutions.
• Identify and articulate the attitudes of college health educators in the academic setting and health education administrators in regard to CSHP in higher education.

Keywords: College Students, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.