Health Education courses in Anne Arundel County are focused on building health-literate students. Health literacy refers to the ability to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services to maintain or improve their own health and health others. These Comprehensive Skills-Based Health Education courses prepare students to become health-literate 21st Century learners as responsible members of society, self-directed learners, effective communicators, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.

Core health concepts include:

• Mental and Emotional Health

• Substance Abuse Prevention

• Family Life and Human Sexuality*

• Safety and Violence Prevention

• Healthy Eating

• Disease Prevention and Control

Comprehensive Skills-Based Health Education supports and promotes health enhancing behaviors for all students. The health skills embedded in the units include analyzing influences, accessing information, interpersonal communication, decision making, goal setting, self-management, and advocacy.

*The Family Life and Human Sexuality unit was developed in accordance with the standards and procedures established in Maryland State Regulation 13A.04.18.01. Students may be excused from this unit of the program upon written request from their parent or guardian. Appropriate alternate instruction will be provided.