Strengthening School-Based Health Education: Current Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions

Health education in schools remains a foundational field for promoting healthy behaviors, preventing disease, and fostering overall well-being among children and adolescents. Despite longstanding recognition of its importance, significant variations exist in curriculum content, information access, resource allocation, educator training, and delivery methods across educational settings. These inconsistencies raise questions about the reach and effectiveness of health education programs and their ability to address contemporary health challenges such as mental health, substance abuse, nutrition, and sexual health. Ongoing debates persist regarding the integration of evidence-based practices, the role of community engagement, cognitive and cultural sensitivity to educational resources, and how to adapt to evolving public health needs in diverse populations.Recent studies have highlighted both promising advances and notable shortcomings in school health education. Innovative, participatory teaching strategies, peer-support learning, and technology-enhanced learning tools have shown the potential to boost student engagement and knowledge retention. Yet, there is discordance between the existence of policy mandates and the realities of on-the-ground implementation, often due to limited funding, insufficient time within school schedules, and varying degrees of stakeholder support. There remains a pressing need for comprehensive evaluations of program effectiveness and systematic efforts to close gaps in access and quality.This Research Topic aims to advance the field by exploring the latest evidence, practical innovations, and policy considerations shaping health education in schools. It seeks to illuminate best practices, identify barriers to effective implementation, and propose actionable solutions to strengthen school-based health education for all students.To gather further insights in the context of K-12 school settings and based primarily on formal education programs and interventions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Innovative models and approaches for health education delivery in schools• Evaluation of existing curricula and educational interventions• The role of teachers, families, and communities in supporting health education• Integration of mental health, nutrition, and physical activity into school health curricula• Barriers to and facilitators of effective program implementation• The impact of policy, funding, and resource allocation on health education• Equity considerations and addressing health disparities in school populations • School health policy and program evaluation• Innovative pedagogical approaches to school health learning Topic editors: Deborah Oluwaseun Shomuyiwa, Jacqueline Nkrumah, Emmanuel Kumah Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79582/strengthening-school-based-health-education-current-practices-challenges-and-future-directions