All youth deserve access to effective health education that provides them with the tools they need to maintain or improve their health and the health of others. Health education, in school and community settings, can be a tool for addressing social justice and health equity across race and class. Effective health education can increase awareness and understanding of the many factors, including social determinants of health and power structures, that impact health and wellness. More importantly, health education can affect change by empowering students to address not only their own health but the health of others, their communities, and beyond. This chapter reviews the current literature, focusing on practical applications for school and community settings, and presents strategies for implementing health education that supports health and wellness at interpersonal, intrapersonal, and community levels.
The Knowledge Needed to Deliver Social Justice and Health Equity
