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Particular attention should be given in securing correction of visual and
dental defects, as these are the conditions which are found most often to prevent
complete military activity. Students themselves may play an active part in making
arrangements for obtaining corrections, and may when necessary earn the money
needed for doing the work.

School programs may well emphasize the prevention of eyestrain through proper
attention to proper lighting and seating.

Prevention of Communicable Diseases

“The prevention of communicable diseases depends partly on education regarding
the causes of disease, how they are spread, and how they may be prevented.
Respiratory diseases, including the common cold, should receive careful attention
in health education because of its importance to adolescents and young adults.
Tuberculosis should be included in all high school health education. Students can
collect facts about this disease in their State or community, learn the value of
tuberculin tests and X-rays, variation in incidence in different occupations and
plan with administrators, teachers and health authorities for adequate prevention
and control measures in their own school and community.

 

Depending somewhat on local conditions, consideration should be given to
including in the high school program through study and action, the following
communicable diseases: Malaria, smallpox, syphilis, pneumonia and gonorrhea.

Other Content for Health Education

Nutrition, prevention and emergency pare of accidents, home care of the sick,
home hygiene, a daily routine for health’ living, and help in developing sound mental
attitudes, are other important angles of the Victory Corps health education program.
Experiences in all these areas should be provided for both boys and girls, for it
is important that they not only have an u nderstending of the factors which contri-
bute to good health but also an active part in working for the betterment of their
own health and that of others. Some experiences may be provided in conjunction
with biology, physical education, home economics and other courses, but these should
be considered supplemental to special health education courses taught where
possible by teachers with special preparation in health education.

 

The bulletin "Physical Fitness Through dealth Education" now in process of
preparation by the U.S. Office of Education will contain specific suggestions for
specialized health education information and activities for the various service
divisions, nomely, the Air, Land and Sea, Production and Community Service.

Administrative Provisions

There is goncral recognition of the need for administrative action to provide
the essential organization meeded for planning and carrying out complete health
education programs, These administrative adjustments will be minor in schools
which already have well-functioning programs, but will be considerable in those

school in which health cducation has not previous}y been given due consideration.
The most important administrative actions will be theses

 

1. Fixing responsibility. What is every-one's business soon becomes
no-one's business. In cach school one person, especially qualified in
health education, should be given the responsibility for coordinating all
school health activities and for relating thom to other health activitios .
in the community. This person should be assisted by a school health
committee whose members plan tosether cooperatively for better health
conditions. In small schools this committee may be the whole faculty
plus student leaders and representatives of parent organizations. In
urban schools the committee may be large and elaborate. It will ine lude