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During the second decade of the 21st century families and schools world-wide have been affected by several critical events, with economic recession, the refugee crisis, and lately the COVID-19 pandemic being the most prominent. Pertaining to the school community (students, educators, administration, parents, school personnel etc.), evidence-based interventions for improving mental health and supporting psychosocial adjustment are necessary. In this paper the development, implementation, and evaluation of the international WeCARE (We Connect, Accept, Respect, Empower) program, an online multilevel intervention for promoting well-being and resilience in the school community during unsettling times, is presented. The Program has a multicultural perspective and provides the opportunity to students from different countries to cooperate and develop multicultural skills. The intervention is based on a conceptual model for enhancing positive development, resilience, social and emotional skills, and competence. The interventions were implemented on individual and system levels over four consecutive years, including web-based teachers' training and supervision, seminars for parents, and classroom implementation. Furthermore, collaboration amongst schools and educational settings was highlighted, in the form of networking at national and international level. Based on the evaluation results, the necessity for further development and implementation of programs for the promotion of resilience and well-being during unsettling times is discussed.

This article encourages teacher educators to focus their work on healing and well-being in response to the array of precarities in the world. Framing this work is a driving question inspired by the current political moment and articles in this issue of "Teacher Education Quarterly": How can teacher educators promote well-being and healing in our programs as models for healthier schools? In response, three phases of the pre-service to profession pathway are discussed: (1) pathways to teacher education programs, (2) pre-service preparation, and (3) transitions to the profession.

The COVID-19 pandemic experience has brought to the forefront the importance of leadership as institutions across the world are now trying to emerge from hibernation and rebuild broken academic practices. As such, this study sought to examine school principals' experiences on school management in the context of COVID-19 stringency in four rural schools in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Underpinned by a qualitative research approach, the study employed a case study design in which semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from four rural school principals who had been purposively sampled. Findings of the study revealed that in order to combat challenges associated with teaching and learning, school principals engaged among other things, in mobilization of resources, engendering a technological culture among teachers, ensuring effective delivery of content. We further ascertained that although hamstrung by resource inadequacies, school principals in rural schools promoted school safety by ensuring transparent and effective communication, striving for the provision of safe and adequate facilities, among other things. Finally, our study also revealed that rural school principals ensured clear and consistent communication with staff, provided psychosocial assistance to staff members, and adapted performance and workload expectations.

Depression and suicide rates among youths tended to increase. From reviews, many applications and online counseling could reduce depression and anxiety to promote well-being of youths and university students effectively. This study was conducted to develop "Friend from heart" application based on LINE system to promote well-being for undergraduate students of faculty of education, Kasetsart University. The research method included the survey of basic data for developing the application and evaluation of the application by specialists. A total of 72 voluntary students were invited to join an online survey. It was found that most of the students (81.94%) wanted applications that provide physical health information such as exercise, eating healthy food, and health care. However, about 16.66% of students needed an application that can speak or listen problems with video calls. Then, researchers took the services that students were interested more than 50% to develop the applications. It worked through the application, consisting of chatbot, physical health, mental health, and appointment with counselor. The index of item-objective congruence was 0.66-1.00 with additional specialists commenting that the application had an interesting design with good structure to help students. For ethical approval, it was obtained from the Kasetsart University Research Ethics Committee.

The purpose of this research was to explore student perceptions of mindfulness meditation (MM) in an introductory health promotion course, and how the use of MM during class might relate to the transitions experienced by students. Qualitative data collection took place through an online survey and in-person interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four key themes were identified from this research. First, that MM facilitates a sense of peace and calm; second, that MM encourages students to focus; third, MM helps promote student mental health; and finally, MM positively changes the classroom environment. Challenges and recommendations were also described.

The rapid growth of the U.S. Latinx population has led to an increased need for community organizations and academic institutions to develop partnerships focused on addressing gaps in health maintenance and education of Latinx individuals. Medical schools also have a responsibility to educate future physicians in delivering culturally sensitive care through community-oriented learning experiences. This case study approach outlines the logistics of establishing a youth mentoring program between a medical school and a Latinx community and demonstrates the benefits to the institution, medical students, and the population served. We also discuss the challenges arising from this partnership and present early program evaluation data showing consistent mentor satisfaction reported over time. This description of the program development provides a framework for creating similar initiatives in medical education to address known disparities in health and well-being of Latinx individuals and other minority populations.

The transition into higher education stretches students socially, academically and within their personal lives requiring adaptation and development of resilience. For many, such demands may lead to decreased mental wellbeing and, for some, mental ill-health. This project aimed to trial simple mental health awareness and well-being tasks with first year undergraduate students, and to determine whether students find these interventions beneficial and worthy of embedding as transition activities within the first-year curriculum. Four activities were trialled with 185 first-year students who reported the activities as beneficial. All activities caused an overall increase in student knowledge of how to maintain good mental well-being. In the light of this project's findings, such activities are recommended for embedding into the first-year curriculum and throughout higher education. [Note: The citation (v15 n1 2020) shown on the first page of the PDF is incorrect. The correct citation is v16 n1 2021.]

The purpose of this study is to examine factors influencing the adjustments made to physical education and sports learning among students in the Faculty of Education at Thailand National Sports University after the COVID-19 pandemic. 595 students were selected using stratified random sampling from undergraduates in the Faculty of Education at Thailand National Sports University during Academic Year 2020. The data were then analyzed in terms of descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis. The potential influences to the adjustments made to physical education and sports learning after the COVID-19 pandemic among students in Faculty of Education at Thailand National Sports University comprised these 5 variables: 1) activities to promote knowledge of COVID-19 prevention within the university; 2) the university's policies promoting the prevention of COVID-19; 3) facilities within the university; 4) imitating a classmate's adjusted behaviors; and 5) learning in class. These 5 factors could predict the adjustments in physical education and sports learning after the COVID-19 pandemic in the studied group with the percentage of 73.60. The significance predicted by equations were as follows: In terms of raw scores: Y[superscript /] = -0.175 + 0.384 (X[subscript 3]) + 0.265 (X[subscript 1]) + 0.224 (X[subscript 4]) + 0.084 (X[subscript 5]) + 0.064 (X[subscript 6]) In term of standard scores: Z[superscript /] [subscript Y] = 0.357 (ZX[subscript 3]) + 0.356 (ZX[subscript 1]) + 0.207 (ZX[subscript 4]) + 0.067 (ZX[subscript 5]) + 0.062 (ZX[subscript 6]).

Nursing faculty with expertise in community health are well poised to introduce nursing students to the rewarding experience of caring for vulnerable populations. Multiple partnerships have been established over the years within the central Connecticut region that have benefited both the university's nursing students and the affiliated agency, as well as the individuals served. Utilizing knowledge related to the common health issues faced by the homeless population, faculty worked with community partners to discuss needs and create a plan involving nursing students, which specifically focused on vision and foot health.

Campuses have never had such an intense focus on health promotion as they do at present as we work toward a post-pandemic future. This article examines the evolution of approaches from a student-centric focus to a systems approach, tracing the history of health promotion on Canadian campuses. Universities have evolved from the initial attempts at providing oversight over student behaviour, to the increased need for supports after the influx of World War II veterans, to the focus on providing a much broader range of supports from a holistic stance. The current context of a more intentional and organized approach to health promotion for students, faculty, and staff is explored; the shift includes adoption of the Okanagan Charter (2015) at many campuses. Lastly, the authors suggest future directions for campuses to take in addressing the current health issues and in supporting well-being on Canadian campuses now and in the future.

This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to comprehensive, school-based physical activity (PA) promotion among adolescents prior to and during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, considering the perspectives of students, parents, and school staff. Data were collected from 2020 to 2021 using semi-structured individual interviews with students (n = 15), parents (n = 20), and school staff (n = 8) at a Title I middle school (i.e. high percentage of students from low-income families). Two theoretical frameworks guided analysis: the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program framework and Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory. Using an iteratively developed codebook, data were coded, thematically analyzed, and synthesized. PA barriers and facilitators were present throughout the school day, at home, and in the community. Key determinants included pandemic-induced challenges (e.g. COVID-19 exposure); neighborhood characteristics/weather (e.g. neighborhood safety); school-family communication/collaboration; implementation climate (i.e. school staff's support for programming); time, spatial, and monetary resources (e.g. funding); staffing capacity/continuity and school champions; staffing creativity and adaptability; PA opportunities before, during, and after school; and child's motivation/engagement. Efforts to improve school-based PA programs, irrespective of pandemic conditions, should include strategies that address factors at the community, school, family and individual levels. School-family communication/collaboration, school staff programming support, and PA opportunities throughout the day can help promote comprehensive, school-based PA.

American Indian (AI) communities experience persistent diabetes-related disparities, yet few nutrition interventions are designed for AI with type 2 diabetes or address socio-contextual barriers to healthy eating. We describe our process of adapting the evidence-based Cooking Matters® program for use by AI adults with type 2 diabetes in a rural and resource-limited setting in the North-Central United States. We conducted three focus groups with AI adults with diabetes to (i) identify Cooking Matters® adaptations and (ii) gather feedback on appropriateness of the adapted intervention using Barrera and Castro's cultural adaptation framework. Transcripts were coded using an inductive, constant comparison approach. Queries of codes were reviewed to identify themes. Contextual considerations included limited access to grocery stores and transportation barriers, reliance on government food assistance and the intergenerational burden of diabetes. Adaptations to content and delivery included incorporating traditional and locally available foods; appealing to children or others in multigenerational households and prioritizing visual over written content. Our use of Barrera and Castro's framework adds rigor and structure to the cultural adaptation process and increases the likelihood of future intervention success. Other researchers may benefit from using this framework to guide the adaptation of evidence-based interventions in AI communities.

Background: Although the current preventive measures relating to COVID-19 can lead to challenges in the daily work of direct support workers (e.g. keeping 1.5 m distance), it remains vital to uphold the principles of person-centred care when working with older people with intellectual disabilities. The current study explores the extent to which direct support workers have been able to apply a specific form of person-centred care (i.e. integrated emotion-oriented care, or IEOC) when working with older people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Six direct support workers from five facilities serving older people with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands participated in this qualitative study. They participated in a two-hour focus group, which was transcribed verbatim, and the transcript was analysed thematically. Results: Three themes emerged: (i) the negative impact of changes due to the COVID-19 measures on service users; (ii) the adaptation of direct support workers to changes due to the COVID-19 measures; and (iii) putting the needs and wishes of service users first. Conclusion: This study provides first impressions into the experiences of direct support workers providing person-centred care to older people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are facing unprecedented challenges due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Congregate living, and conditions associated with NDD place increased challenges during infectious disease outbreaks and there is a need to understand evidence-based response procedures. The aim was to (1) map and synthesize literature regarding emergency response protocol in supported living environments for individuals with NDD and (2) identify gaps in the literature of response protocols in supported living environments for individuals with NDD. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to understand the published literature on emergency response across supported living environments for individuals with NDD during emergency situations and infectious disease outbreaks. Results: The ten studies included in the review detailed protocols including treatment, testing, isolation, surveillance, improved cleaning, use of protective equipment, and contact with public health professionals. The environment of supported living settings, and symptoms associated with NDD impacted the spread and severity of disease. Conclusion: The research findings highlight the susceptibility, severity and impact of infectious disease outbreaks for individuals with NDD in supported living environments. This research will promote the establishment and development of appropriate care and response during emergency situations in supported living environments.

While studies have examined the outcomes of interprofessional service-learning activities, the use of interprofessional, community-based health programming as an opportunity for fostering civic engagement in today's public health students is less studied. This article examines the benefits of a student-run exercise and nutrition program as an interprofessional education and service experience for undergraduate students participating in a service-learning course, degree-required practicum, capstone project, volunteer experience, or internship. An online survey with items from the Volunteer Functions Inventory, Civic Attitudes Scale, and Social Responsibility subscale of the Prosocial Behavior Battery was administered to 233 students from a diverse variety of majors. A significant increase in positive civic attitudes, volunteerism, and social responsibility scores was observed for students participating as part of one of two course-based service-learning projects, and scores on all three measures persisted at moderate-tohigh levels for all students across six-semester cohorts and 3 years of program implementation. These results suggest that interprofessional service experiences are essential to the development of civic engagement competencies in today's students, largely through the focus on collective action for social change.

Background: There is a need for promoting exercise practice among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Aquatic exercise (AE) could be a viable option in this regard.Objective: To identify and critically analyze the best available evidence concerning the effects of AE in the physical and mental health of people with ID. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies was performed after searching within several databases up to March 2021. Results: A total of 4 RCTs and 3 comparative studies were found. Their methodological quality ranged from high to low. Aquatic interventions had positive effects on cardiorespiratory, muscular fitness and balance. Mixed effects were seen on parameters related to obesity and cognition. Scant information regarding feasibility and intervention fidelity was provided. In general, interventions details were not discussed in deep. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that aquatic exercise can be prescribed to people with ID in order to improve their physical health. The impact of aquatic exercise on motor skills, cognitive function and mental health remains unclear. Further research on this topic should provide a detailed description of the interventions carried out, including information on the feasibility and intervention fidelity.

Poor nutrition and insufficient amounts of physical activity are key contributing factors to childhood obesity and can adversely affect the physical, social, and emotional health, along with the academic success, of today's youth. Comprehensive school-based initiatives, in combination with broader community efforts that target these behaviors, can help youth to develop and sustain healthy lifestyles through the adolescent years. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model emphasizes the connection between health and academic achievement and highlights the importance of school wellness assessments, stressing that schools serve as the nucleus in providing these supports with input, resources, and collaboration from the community. Inadequate amounts of attention have been given to the process of conducting school wellness assessments that promote collaboration between university research teams and key school district stakeholders. This article presents the process of conducting a district-wide wellness assessment with the WSCC model as the conceptual framework. It outlines practical steps for other districts to replicate and key collaboration principles, along with the specific use of a unique wellness assessment tool that includes a readiness for change component. It also discusses challenges and opportunities encountered, lessons learned along the way, and implications for school administrators and school health practitioners.

Despite the increasing recognition of positive life skills interventions to enhance the psychological and physical well-being of individuals, there is an absence of a valid and reliable Arabic measure of Life Skills (LS) amongst youth. This study aims at validating an Arabic Life Skills Scale (A-LSS) to assess the effectiveness of life skills interventions. A randomly selected sample of 1200 university students in Lebanon participated in this study. The exploratory-to-confirmatory factor analyses strategy was followed to examine the factor structure of the LSS. For that purpose, the sample was divided into two subsamples. The exploratory factor analysis results showed a nine-factor solution, with a strong reliability for the total scale (McDonald's omega [omega] = 0.95) and all subscales ([omega] ranging from 0.68 to 0.91). The confirmatory analysis results showed excellent fit indices (CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97, GFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.031 [90% CI 0.028-0.034] and SRMR = 0.061), after correlating residuals of items 53 and 54. Measurement invariance across genders was verified at the configural, scalar and metric levels. The A-LSS showed high reliability and validity of LS among Lebanese university students. This scale can be used as a valid tool to measure effectiveness of life skills health promotion interventions.

This manuscript describes a pedagogical proposal for the adherence to healthy eating in sixth-grade schoolchildren. The reason for the design lies in the high prevalence of overweight and obesity together with a growing current sedentary lifestyle, aspects that constitute a serious public health problem worldwide with an upward trend and pandemic character. Therefore, we carried out six sessions in which schoolchildren participated in different activities for the knowledge of a varied and balanced Mediterranean diet, as well as for its reflection and practice outside the educational center that allows a greater didactic transposition between the school and the educational center. We are born with a body and it has to last us in good condition for the rest of our lives. For this reason, physical activity practiced regularly and in the appropriate way, together with dietary control, is the best tool available today for the promotion of health and quality of life of school-children. In this sense, acquiring such habits from a young age is not of little importance: It is of absolute importance (Aristotle 384-322 BC).

This study examined whether patients attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) based on the pedagogical strategy learning and coping (LC) led to improved health-related quality of life (HRQL), reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved self-management 6 and 12 months after the completion of CR compared with patients attending CR based on the pedagogical strategy 'Empowerment, Motivation and Medical Adherence' (EMMA). A pragmatic cluster-controlled trial of two pedagogical strategies, LC and EMMA, including 10 primary health care settings and 555 patients diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease and referred to CR between August 2018 and July 2019 was conducted. In total, 312 patients replied to the questionnaires collected at baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after completing CR. Linear regression analyses adjusted for potential confounder variables and cluster effects were performed. We found clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in HRQL, anxiety, depression and self-management after completing CR. The improvements were sustained at 6 and 12 months after the completion of CR. We found no differences between the two evidence-based patient education strategies. In conclusion, this study supports the use of evidence-based patient education strategies, but there is no evidence to suggest that one pedagogical strategy is superior to the other.

Community health advisors (CHAs) play a key role in promoting health in medically underserved communities, including in addressing cancer disparities. There is a need to expand the research on what characteristics make for an effective CHA. We examined the relationship between CHA personal and family history of cancer, and implementation and efficacy outcomes in a cancer control intervention trial. Twenty-eight trained CHAs implemented a series of three cancer educational group workshops for N = 375 workshop participants across 14 churches. Implementation was operationalized as participant attendance at the educational workshops, and efficacy as workshop participants' cancer knowledge scores at the 12-month follow-up, controlling for baseline scores. CHA personal history of cancer was not significantly associated with implementation, nor knowledge outcomes. However, CHAs with family history of cancer had significantly greater participant attendance at the workshops than CHAs without family history of cancer (P = 0.03) and a significant, positive association with male workshop participants' prostate cancer knowledge scores at 12 months (estimated beta coefficient = 0.49, P < 0.01) after adjusting for confounders. Findings suggest that CHAs with family history of cancer may be particularly suitable for cancer peer education, although further research is needed to confirm this and identify other factors conducive to CHA success.

Adolescents from urban communities are at risk for unhealthy snacking behaviors. Youth advocacy interventions are shown to improve certain adolescent health behaviors, such as substance use. However, it remains unclear if youth advocacy is a feasible method to promote healthy snacking. As such, the aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of a youth advocacy program promoting healthy snacking among adolescents in New York City by conducting a mixed-methods process evaluation. Adolescents (12-18 years) at a Boys and Girls Club in New York City were recruited to participate in a 12-session adaptation of the Youth Engagement and Action for Health! program to advocate for the promotion of healthy snacks in corner stores. A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted to assess recruitment, reach (attendance), dose delivered (amount of intervention delivered), fidelity (degree to which intervention was implemented according to curriculum) and dose received (participant engagement/satisfaction). Satisfaction was also evaluated through focus groups. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative data, and focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participant retention (94.74%), attendance (93.52%), dose delivered (98.94%), fidelity (98.5%), engagement (4.97/5) and program satisfaction (4/5) were high. Focus groups (n = 6; 28 participants) revealed that participants learned about nutrition, enjoyed being advocates and improved snacking behaviors.

Schools are recognised as key arenas for health promotion (HP). The development of health literacy (HL) is one of the cornerstones of HP. HP is closely linked to democratic principles and social values. School-based HP may best be understood within the context of the socio-political spectrum in which it is embedded. This study explores how school-based HP is articulated in Swedish education policies, particularly in relation to democratic and social values, and whether that articulation acknowledges and fosters HL as a core element of HP work. Four education policies were analysed. The analysis was informed by Fairclough's model of critical discourse analysis. The findings indicate that policy articulations exhibit an awareness of the democratic and social dimensions of HP. However, these dimensions may have been undermined by an occasional biomedical hegemony, coupled with a subtle deployment of governance discourse. The policies acknowledged HL in spirit rather than semantics and did not fully exploit teachers' capacities as active agents in HP. Several interdiscursive tensions were observed that may have short as well as long-term social and democratic implications, particularly in terms of fostering student autonomy, empowerment and inclusion.

Life skills (LS) training programs help individuals develop their mental health and stress-related attitudes. This study aims to build a versatile physical education program (PEP) to promote LS and examine its effectiveness. The subjects were first-year Japanese university students. We conducted the LS survey in April (pre-semester) and August (post-semester) 2019. To analyze the difference in LS subscales scores depending on the PEP at the pre-semester/post-semester, we conducted two-way ANOVA repeated measures with the Semester-Sports item and examined simple main effects. As a result, there were significant interactions on the subscales "leadership (F (2,285) = 8.20, P < 0.001), " "planning (F (2,285) = 3.97, p < 0.05)," "self-esteem (F (2,285) = 7.73, p < 0.001)," and "positive thinking (F (2,285) = 3.07, p < 0.05)." Multiple comparison results showed that average scores for Tai Chi were significantly higher than Nordic walking and Basketball at the pre-semester. Moreover, there was a significant difference in all LS subscales between pre-semester and post-semester. This study suggested this PEP effectively developed the LS for new university students.

The school environment offers a unique platform for health promotion work with children and young people. Increasingly multifaceted health problems among children and young people and their families require investments in multiprofessional collaboration in schools. The aim of this study was to investigate teaching staff's perceptions of the school nurse's role in compulsory school and explore multiprofessional collaboration between school health care and teaching staff. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teaching staff from Finland-Swedish compulsory schools in Finland and qualitative content analysis was used as method. Three main categories and eleven subcategories were found, describing the teaching staff's views on the role of school health nurses in schools, factors that hinder and promote multiprofessional collaboration, and development proposals for collaboration. The complexity of multiprofessional collaboration in a school context is highlighted. Improved collaboration is important for increasing the chances of finding and helping students and their families early on.

This study explores the discourse about health promotion and the role of the teacher in Swedish upper secondary schools. The material consists of student health plans from schools and local authorities that were analysed using discourse analysis. The results show that health promotion is largely an empty or floating signifier. The teacher is mainly in discursive shadow. When the teacher is in discursive light, their role in health promotion is connected to ordinary teacher tasks. Schools can set out what health promotion entails to a greater extent and clarify the role of the teacher.

Established healthy eating behaviours in childhood underpin the development of similar patterns into adulthood. School-based nutrition and cooking programs have been found to enhance nutrition and cooking knowledge and cooking self-efficacy. This scoping review examined the literature about the effectiveness of nutrition education programs conducted within the school setting. Databases were searched to identify relevant studies focused on primary school nutrition education and cooking programs. The evidence was assessed specifically in relation to how an effective program is reflected in the Health Promoting Schools Framework. Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Three programs cross-integrated with other school subjects. All programs used hands-on activities, and half incorporated gardening and included excursions to farms or markets. All programs highlighted the need for community and parental engagement. A cross-curricular approach can have a profound effect on improving dietary intakes, food and nutrition knowledge, and behaviours. Collaboration between teachers and nutrition educators is instrumental in delivering a successful program. Addressing the components of the Health Promoting Schools Framework in the development of a nutrition education and cooking program is integral to promote its successful implementation.

Health education specialists play a major role in promoting a healthy lifestyle, preventing, and managing diseases. This study aimed at identifying the needed skills and knowledge of health education specialists with an interest in disease prevention and the transformation of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. This study employed a qualitative case study approach, using focus group interviews. The study was conducted at King Saud University with three different stakeholder groups (alumni, employers, and faculty members) using convenience sampling. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. We have conducted four focus group interviews with a total of 29 participants. We have identified five main themes from the data; "Medical and clinical related knowledge and skills", "Communication and engagement with the community", "Planning and evaluating health programs", "Health systems and health policy", and "Marketing and technological skills". Participants highlighted the need to respond to the changing demands of the labor market, the different roles of health education specialists, and patient education vs. public education. Counseling and behavior change were viewed as key roles of health education specialists. In addition to the skills needed to create content and conduct research. Furthermore, equipping health education graduates in the fields of digital health and occupational health was viewed as a key factor in improving their employability and readiness for the labor market. Study participants identified multiple skills and knowledge gaps which were deemed important to improve the quality of graduates from the health education program. Future studies are recommended to estimate their importance based on the rating of alumni, faculty staff, and employers.

Health Literacy (HL) refers to personal competencies for accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying health-relevant information in order to make sound decisions in everyday life that promote the prevention of bad and maintenance of good health. Schools are seen as promising intervention settings for promoting these skills in adolescents. School testing that reflects health-related tasks that students need to complete in daily life stands the best chance of promoting growth in HL. Testing can facilitate the transfer of learning, i.e. the application of previous learning in the solution of novel problems in different contexts. This study presents a newly developed performance-based instrument for the measurement of HL knowledge and skills in adolescents in a school-based context, as well as the results of a validation study. The instrument aims to measure adolescents' generic HL and takes account of competency-based principles of education. The results of the validation study prove the reliability, measured by Cronbach's alpha, and construct validity (expert panel and factor analysis) of the newly designed instrument. The study also demonstrates that the instrument can distinguish between weaker and stronger students.

This randomized controlled trial study aims to examine the flipped classroom model's effects on the knowledge and health beliefs of testicular cancer and testicular self-examination. The study was conducted on 66 students in Northern Cyprus. A descriptive information form, Champion's Health Belief Model Scale, visual analogue scale of satisfaction with the learning method, the knowledge questionnaire on testicular cancer and the testicular self-examination itself were used for data collection. The mean posttest knowledge score of the intervention group (14.44) was higher than the mean posttest knowledge score of the control group (12.65). The difference between groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean posttest scores obtained by the intervention group from the barriers and the severity subscales of the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale were lower than for the control group (P < 0.05). The percentages of participants performing the testicular self-examination after receiving training were 82.4% and 59.4% for the intervention group and control group, respectively. The complete trial protocol can be accessed at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04851197). Since the flipped classroom model increased the rate of students performing testicular self-exams and the levels of knowledge and satisfaction of the students, the use of this model in different courses may be promoted.

Recess is a critical source of physical, social and emotional health and well-being for children, but generally not prioritized during online learning. A 13-week structured recreation intervention was delivered virtually during recess to students in the fifth and sixth grades (age 10-12 years; N = 71) at one elementary school (Phoenix, AZ, USA). We used embedded mixed method with a prospective pre-/post-design to measure change in student-reported emotion and qualities of engagement in an online setting. Students completed an online pre-/post-survey to measure emotion and motivational responses (enjoyment, competence and relatedness). We used narrative notes to qualitatively assess student engagement during programming. Differences in student-reported emotion were analyzed using paired t-tests. The effect of motivational responses on emotion was analyzed using multiple regression analyses. "In vivo" coding and concept coding were used to analyze qualitative data. We found no statistically significant differences in student-reported emotion; however, student relationships with peers predicted increased positive and decreased negative emotions after the intervention. Seven categories promoted student engagement: challenging, enjoyable, experiential, practical, purposeful, relatable and relevant. School-based health practitioners can offer structured activities virtually during recess, when in-person learning is interrupted and in all-online settings, to promote emotional well-being.

Currently, the world needs health-literate citizens who are able to make informed decisions about COVID-19 and other diseases. Here, we propose a COVID-19 roadmap consisting of four commented maps about infection, diagnosis, defense, treatment, and prevention. We built the maps based on those from the Atlas of Science Literacy following a qualitative methodology. Main ideas about health linked to COVID-19 and how they relate to each other can be visualized in the maps in an organized structure and according to K-levels. The maps are accompanied by a text that relates the health ideas to the COVID-19 disease. This tool can be used to promote health education and, ultimately, health literacy through the teaching and learning of COVID-19.

The transition from primary school to secondary school is an important milestone for young people and the challenges that students face at this time have been widely researched. However, there seems to be a gap in how schools proactively support students to prepare for the transition to ensure that their mental health and wellbeing is at the forefront of decision-making. With one in seven young people diagnosed with mental health problems, and puberty occurring around the time of transition, it is critical that schools consider the impact of this period of change on their students. Through a comprehensive literature review and desktop-based research, this current paper explores how schools can impact this time of heightened vulnerability by considering the importance of sense of belonging, relationships between students, staff and parents, and positive school climate. The results will reflect these areas and show that a proactive approach to mental health teacher training and whole-school programmes that develop students' social and emotional skills, resilience and relationships are key to students thriving during this transition from primary school to secondary school. This paper concludes with recommendations for schools to implement to better support the transition period to enhance the wellbeing of its students as well as suggestions for future research.

Schools have a key role to play in promoting healthy wellbeing and in teaching the skills important in protecting against mental illness. However, navigating the array of wellbeing practices, initiatives, and programs with a view to deciding which of these are appropriate in any school setting is a challenge. Although current best practice is to adopt a whole-school approach to wellbeing, what this means in context can also be unclear within the complex, multi-faceted school environment. Taking inspiration from a systems-informed perspective of school wellbeing, this article describes an organisational tool to assist school staff in understanding and capturing the elements of a whole-school approach in their own context. Using the analogy of a tree, the key components of a whole-school approach to wellbeing are outlined with examples drawn from current research literature and existing wellbeing conceptual frameworks. Through the use of this wellbeing tree tool it may be possible to appreciate the "bigger picture" of a whole-school approach to wellbeing that links current practices to the overall vision and mission of the school. The article concludes with a reflection on the extent to which this tool is fit for purpose, its limitations, and how it could be extended.

Faith-based communities supporting diverse and underserved communities are increasingly being recognized by researchers as community "anchor institutions" and equitable partners in research engagement. Research suggests that faith-based organizations (FBOs) can promote health and well-being within congregations and throughout communities. This evidence has energized community-academic partnerships to collaboratively support FBOs in plans to improve community wellbeing and health equity, particularly within communities of color. This paper describes the evolution of a community-academic collaboration led by a Full Gospel Midwest Regional Baptist Church where the co-partners professed a commitment to advancing the public good through collaborative governance and shared goal setting in the delivery of an engagement training program. Core features highlighted are: (1) establishing a Community Advisory Board; (2) developing a research engagement training program; and (3) analyses, results, and legacy. Extension of the church-led mission to lead research engagement connects leaders and communities to resources and scientific expertise in support of the data needs and aspirations of faith-based communities. As research-ready partners, faith-based communities have the capacity to function as localized anchors to drive urban health policy and to serve as advocates by being the "voice" in community-driven research engagement for "public good."

Background: Teacher wellness affects teaching performance and students' academic achievement; hence, teacher wellness matters and should be a concern to educational researchers and practitioners. There are several teacher wellness approaches, but no one of them specifically focuses on a Sports-based Physical Activity programme. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a Sports-based Physical Activity programme on teachers' relatedness, stress and motivation towards physical activity. Method: Middle school teachers (n = 32) volunteered to participate in the research as programme participants (n = 12) or non-programme participants (n = 20). The Sports-based Physical Activity programme included 7 weeks of training in Catchball, a team sport and a tournament as the culminating event. The study adopted a mixed-methods design: a quasi-experimental design collecting quantitative data from online surveys and a case study design collecting qualitative data from interviews with the programme participants, non-participants and the school principal. Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the Sports-based Physical Activity programme was effective in relatedness, F(1, 30) = 5.16, p = 0.031, [eta][subscript p][superscript 2] = 0.147, and in one of the six motivation subscales, external regulation, F(1, 30) = 4.23, p = 0.048, [eta][subscript p][superscript 2] = 0.124. The qualitative analysis findings supported the programme's contribution to teachers' relationship, stress and exercise motivation. Conclusion: Overall, the programme was effective in promoting teachers' relationships in school, controlling levels of teachers' stress and fostering teachers' motivation towards physical activity. Further studies are required to examine the impact of a Sports-based Physical Activity approach in diverse school contexts and its impact on student learning.

This study aims to investigate the effects of recreational gymnastics training on the quality of life of children aged 4-12 years. The research is a structured case study with the parents of children attending a private gymnasium in Giresun. 7 questions prepared by the researcher as a data collection tool were directed to the parents in the form of a focus group interview, and voice recordings and written notes were taken during the interview. The average age of children (n = 30) is X = 7.76 ± 2.25 years, with 22 of them (73.3%) female and 8 (26.7%) male. 66.7% of the families gave their children to gymnastics for healthy life and social development purposes, gymnastics increased flexibility, positively affects the postural structure, 80% of the sports activities after the study, the interest increased positively, the quality of life changed positively by 70%, school success It is stated that the rate of increase in the rate of 30%, does not contribute to the change of technological addiction status, and a high rate of 96% will continue to support working in gymnastics and other branches.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as illness caused by a novel coronavirus now called severe acute respiratory syndrome. The only common thing to be evaluated in the flu category is that it is caused by the virus. The diseases have caused serious health problems and social problems throughout the world. The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of the faculty of sport sciences students about the changes in the education system during COVID-19 Pandemic. Case Study Pattern, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. The data were collected virtually by interview method. The sample of the study consisted of 18 students studying at the Faculty of Sports Sciences of Çukurova University (Male: 13, Female: 5). Descriptive content analysis method was used to analyze the data. The data summarized and interpreted through descriptive analysis, coded themes and sub-themes were created. Subjects such as "the opportunity to watch the lesson again", "Protecting health", "Ease of focus", "Exam advantage", "Ease of access for students with disabilities", "Facilities provided by the university administration", "encouraging research" are positive opinions about distance education. Conditions such as "Problems in the Distance Education Infrastructure", "Lack of Education Face to Face", "Negative Emotion due to Pandemic", "Exam Anxiety" were found as negative findings. As a result, it is seen that the distance education system is advantageous in some aspects and disadvantageous in some aspects due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The solution suggestions presented for the elimination of problems in the distance education system are as follows, both in our study and other studies in the literature. "Improving distance education infrastructure", "Using web-based additional applications", "Assigning homework instead of exams, being fair in grading", "Exemption and adding additional courses to accelerated programs", "Producing solutions for increasing efficiency in practice classes", "ensuring ease of transportation", etc. We think that the state institutions should take the necessary precautions by considering the solutions based on scientific studies.