Towards environment and health promoting South African schools

Urban Health Newsl. 1996 Mar:(28):48-52.

Abstract

PIP: This article describes the activities of the Greater Johannesburg Healthy Schools Program of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Healthy Cities Project in South Africa. Healthy Cities projects emphasize community participation, intersectoral action, supportive environments for health, and a settings approach. Children in South Africa, are exposed to environmental and health hazards in the school setting including poor building design, poor equipment, and understaffing. The Healthy Schools initiative in Greater Johannesburg, is a pilot for enhancing environmental quality, health, and well-being among students. Schools include those in an informal settlement in an industrial area, an inner city district, and in a suburban area. The initiative includes research, establishment of environmental and health committees, development of an action plan, and evaluation and feedback. The plan aims to promote environmental and health sustainability, to empower children to become full participants in the community, and to support teachers and parents in the promotion of health-enhancing school environments. The program builds upon the lessons learned from several local school initiatives. Initiatives include an anti-smoking poster competition involving over 10,000 students, special environmental and health awareness days, consciousness raising among high school students about air pollution, and local efforts to engage students in environmental clean-up days.

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Africa South of the Sahara
  • Africa, Southern
  • Demography
  • Developing Countries
  • Education
  • Health
  • Health Planning*
  • Hygiene*
  • Organization and Administration
  • Population
  • Population Characteristics
  • Public Health*
  • Sanitation*
  • Schools*
  • South Africa
  • Urban Population*