Professional Advocacy: The Minnesota Epilogue toward Altering Legislation for Quality School Health Education Programs

Abstract

Significant rhetorical support for health education has been expressed by national educational leaders for years. Yet, in reality, health education programs continue to lack local and state support where educational administration and policy changes occur. An overview of reasons for the problem is presented and a solution is identified: health educators must become politically active at state and local levels. Successful advocacy efforts in North Carolina, California, and Minnesota are reviewed to support the hypothesis that future improvements in health education depend on policy decisions derived from health educators' relationships with legislators.