Health & Wellness
Importance of Healthy Lifestyle
Virginia Common Wealth University researchers, staff, and associates with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have embarked upon an Education and Health initiative seeking to raise awareness about the important connections between education and health. The VCU health initiative asserts "In today's knowledge economy, education paves a path to competitive jobs and productive careers. American businesses need an educated workforce to compete with other countries in technology, science, and cutting-edge advances. Less recognized is the impact of education on health outcomes. Along with the other benefits of education, Americans with a good education generally enjoy better health throughout their lives, generate fewer health care costs, and live longer. They are more successful students, more productive employees, and healthier senior citizens."
​
Why Education Matters to Health: Exploring the Causes
Research and Resources: Hear it from the Experts, Click the buttons below for more information:
How are health and education linked? There are three main connections:
​
-
Education can create opportunities for better health
-
Poor health can put educational attainment at risk (reverse causality)
-
Conditions throughout people’s lives—beginning in early childhood—can affect both health and education
Areas of Focus
There are five areas of focus to ensure the physical health and wellness of your school community:
-
Physical Activity Before and After School
-
Family and Community Engagement
-
Staff Involvement
-
Physical Activity During School
-
Physical Education.
The Power of Nutrition:
It doesn’t take a lot to create a healthier school. Some changes could include:
-
Incorporating healthy eating and physical activity across the curriculum in fun and creative ways
-
Creating partnerships with the broader community, for example local food growers, sporting clubs, library etc.
-
Providing professional development opportunities for teachers and other support staff to teach and promote healthy eating and being active.​
​
​