Health Education

Purpose – The purpose of this editorial is to provide an overview and brief commentary concerning the present contributions to this third special issue on “Healthy schools and colleges”.

Design/methodology/approach – Authors working in the field of school or college health education were invited to submit their work to Health Education for purposes of review by their peers. After undergoing the traditional peer review process, five submissions that fulfilled the basic criteria relevant to this issue were selected for publication.

Findings – While reasonably diverse, these five contributions all confirm that, while the evidence base as well as the support for using the school as a venue to promote health are increasing, multiple considerations as well as approaches are required in order to successfully implement health-oriented programs in the school and/or college setting. In addition to careful planning, and allocation of resources, in line with the first part of this 2010 series, all authors concur that multiple rather than single strategies are needed at all phases of program planning and implementation if sustainable efficacious programs are sought. Key strategies include having a socio-ecological perspective, adequate teacher training, effective partnerships, policy support, and parental “buy-in”.

Originality/value – While more research is needed, the ideas embedded in this special issue can assist stakeholders who wish to develop or improve the sustainability of school- and college-based health promotion programs. The data specifically provide some direction about what is needed to do collectively to foster the health of the young people in the context of the health-promoting school or college.