Schools play a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of children, youth, and the broader school community. A health-promoting school is one that creates a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where students, staff, and families can thrive, physically, mentally, and socially. Grounded in the World Health Organization’s health-promoting settings approach, these schools integrate health into everyday practices and long-term planning. By encouraging healthy choices, fostering positive relationships, and building a strong sense of belonging, schools help lay the foundation for lifelong well-being.
Each school is shaped by a unique combination of physical and social factors that influence health. The physical environment includes elements such as buildings, outdoor spaces, air quality, and natural surroundings. The social environment encompasses relationships, cultural values, emotional safety, and a sense of community. Together, these factors can be shaped to make schools healthier places to learn and grow.
Health-promoting schools are guided by key principles, including equity, empowerment, community participation, and partnership. These principles help ensure that every student can lead a healthier life.
Resources
- WHO Health Promotion Schools – Health promoting schools
- Joint Consortium for School Health – Health Promoting Schools – Joint Consortium for School Health
- Canadian Standards and Indicators for Health Promotion – EN-Canadian-Standards-and-Indicators-for-Health-Promoting-Schools.pdf
- Immunization Schedule – Immunization – Health and Community Services
- Narcan training – Opioids and Naloxone – Health and Community Services