Health Needs and Interests as a Basis for Selecting Health Content in Secondary Schools

Abstract

A valid and reliable inventory was developed for measuring the health needs and interests of secondary school students. Four adaptations to the inventory were administered to students, parents, health teachers, and physicians. Results indicate a common core of health interests among high school students. Health needs as expressed by high school girls and boys are markedly different. The parents, health educators, and medical doctors were in agreement on the basic health needs of the high school student. The adult and student portions of this sample were in some disagreement on what the high school child needs to learn about health.