Integrating Technology into Health Education and Promotion in a Harlem School-Based Health Center

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1 Integrating Technology into Health Education and Promotion in a Harlem School-Based Health Center The Harlem Children s Health Project The Children s Health Fund Sarah A. Wessler MA

2 Presenter Disclosures Sarah A. Wessler The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months: No relationships to disclose

3 A healthy community One child at a time. Mission Statement The Harlem Children s Health Project is dedicated to improving the lives of children in Central Harlem. Our mission is to provide children with access to quality comprehensive health services and to empower families to make healthy lifestyle choices. By bringing clinicians, educators, and the community together to help children get and stay healthy, the Harlem Children s Health Project aims to increase their chances of success in school and life, now and into the future.

4 Comprehensive Health Services: Medical, dental and mental health care are available in a School Based Health Center for the middle/high school students of the Harlem Children s Zone Promise Academy Charter School. Mental Health: A tiered approach of preventive programs, identification and intervention strategies for high risk students, and treatment services for children with significant mental health needs are implemented in the schools. Healthy Connections: Children and families are linked to community based organizations as well as city and state agencies to obtain services such as health insurance, food stamps and income support. In addition, this program will provide referrals to specialized medical, dental, and mental health service providers. Health Promotion Learning Lab (HPLL): School and community programs and activities expand children s and parent s knowledge of personal, community and public health. The Health Promotion Learning Lab, adjoins the clinic waiting area, is available to all Central Harlem children and families.

5 Why Harlem? Harlem has the highest rate of HIV among women in New York City ¹ Over 31% of children 12 and under have asthma ² 25% of adults in Harlem are obese ² 16% of Harlem s children (ages 5-17) show signs of serious emotional disturbance sufficient enough to meet diagnostic criteria ² Many Harlem residents have severely limited access to adequate comprehensive healthcare ² 34% of Harlem residents do not graduate from high school ³

6 Obesity rates Comparison HCHP 29.9% New York City 12.0%¹ National 17.4%² 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%

7 BMI Distribution AT PROMISE ACADEMY 95% 85 95% 29.9% 5 85% 50.7% 19.4%

8 What is the HPLL? A unique, state-of-the-art, health education Learning Lab located in a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) that: o provides peer mentoring through our Explainer program; o develops custom lesson plans to complement classroom learning; o provides access to technological resources; o implements interactive education models; o provides the community with agespecific, hands-on technology; o focuses on personal, public, and community health.

9 Resources High-technology audio visual systems Skype online video conferencing Information Systems Traditional curriculum enhancement Collaborative efforts with schools and community organizations Mobile technology that can be used for health fairs and community events

11 Explainers Provide educational opportunities in public health, science and technology in order to empower young people with a critical understanding of these areas as well as professional growth opportunities and life skills; Teach and provide assistance to young people and their families using informal science education methods and information technologies in order to help bridge the digital divide and enhance critical thinking skills; Foster awareness of the intimate role public health issues play in personal, community, and familial relationships. Reflect the diversity of the HCZ community and are selected based on their enthusiasm, desire to act as leaders, and capacity to communicate effectively with their peers. All Explainers are enrolled in a full-time academic institution.

12 We Offer Inquiry-Based, Museum Model Workshops Complex health information is presented through hands on activities, questioning strategies and multi-sensory learning.

17 We Offer Interactive Technology Lessons Internet scavenger hunts on pre-selected, age-appropriate custom web interfaces support content areas and develop research and critical thinking skills.

21 Technology

22 Student Work

23 Student Reponses

25 Relationships are important I like smiling and bananas. Eating well is a big part of your health. You make me laugh Food pyramid Exercise your brain

26 Health is when you. What Is Health? Sort of like just look at the pictures and interpret them how you want Laugh Do This s IT Plenty of this So drink up. es im et m so t it d a oo u e f ur yo yo r e ith su w ke ay a pl t m to us J k o By Dominique R.

27 Evaluation Pre-Post Test Scores Middle School After School Program 100% 100% 98% 93% 88% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 37% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 26% 26% 23%

28 Evaluation Pre-Post Test Scores High School After-School Program 90% 78% 80% 74% 74% 70% 61% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 62% 60%

29 Evaluation Tools 7th Grade Pre- and Post- Test Scores % Score 80.00% 60.00% Pre-tes t s core 40.00% Pos t-tes t s core 20.00% 0.00% Student 6 7 8

30 Evaluation Tools 8th Grade Pre- and Post- Test Scores % Score 80.00% 60.00% Pre-test score 40.00% Post-test score 20.00% 0.00% Student

31 Student Satisfaction Survey Results

32 The HPLL is replicable: Program design incorporates efficacy testing and replication Curriculum models and tools have been fieldtested for implementation in other programs First full program replication: The Carl Sagan School Tampa, Florida

34 Favorite Websites - Nutrition - Nutrition Explorations - Learn to Be Healthy General Health Information - Brain Pop, Brain Pop Jr. - Kids Health (Game Closet) - BAM Body and Mind Mental, Social Health Scenarios USA (High School Students) - PBS Kids It s My Life Dental Education - Mouth Power - ADA Games Asthma Education - Quest for the Code

35 Reference List Ahren, David K. et al. (2007) Building the Science of ehealth. Childhood Obesity Prevention and Reduction: Role of ehealth. Exploring the role that technology can play in reducing the incidence and prevalence of childhood obesity.[monograph] Health e-technologies Initiative. Barlow, S.E. and Expert Committee (2007). Recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: Summary Report.. Pediatrics 120; S164-S192. Downloaded from on June 5, 2008 Fletcher, A, M. (2006) Weight loss confidential. How teens lose weight and keep it off and what they wish parents knew. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. Matte, T. et al (2007). Obesity in east and central Harlem: A look across generations. New York, NY: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Retrieved October 17, 2007 from National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Healthy Eating and Activity Together (HEAT) Guidelines for teens (11-21 years). Nicholas, Stephen W., et al. Addressing the Childhood Asthma Crisis in Harlem: The Harlem Children s Zone Asthma Initiative. American Journal of Public Health 95.2 (2005): Overweight and obesity; introduction (n.d.) Retrieved October 17, 2007 from The Children s Health Fund. Health Status of Harlem s Children: Improving, but Lagging Far Behind the Rest of the City. May 3,

36 Contact Information: Sarah Wessler, ma Harlem children s health project 35 e. 125th Street Suite 520 New york, ny swessler@harlemchp.org

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