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Promoting health literacy in secondary schools: implications for school nurses Presentation to School Nurse International Conference Ann Hagell and Frances Perrow

Association for Young People’s Health

What can schools do to promote health literacy and what is the role of school nursing staff?

(1) Scoping review of the evidence (2) Focus groups and interviews in three schools

Hagell A, Rigby E and Perrow F (2015) British Journal of School Nursing Vol 10, No.2

Review findings: components of health literacy

• Understanding health information
• Recognising when help is needed
• Developing skills to manage risk and make lifestyle choices
• Learning how to navigate the system
• Developing healthy attitudes towards health issues

“the capacity of an individual to obtain, interpret and understand basic health information and services in ways which are health-enhancing” (NCC, 2004)

Review findings: using schools to promote health literacy

• Various methods (input to curriculum, change to school

ethos, engagement with families & communities)

• Young people need to learn skills AND become empowered

to take action

• Efforts need to be set within a whole-school approach
• Any content needs to be taught well

Review findings: the role of school nursing team

• Classroom-based delivery by school nurses
• Individual contact with school nurses
• Wider outreach and working with outside agencies

But school nursing workforce is small and needs to work in partnership with other agencies

Key themes from the focus groups and interviews

• Importance of supporting Year 6 & 7 emotional health and

wellbeing in transition to secondary school

• School nurses seen as a positive factor in reducing anxiety
• Need for whole school awareness of school nurse team
• Ask how young people prefer to get health information

Some ideas and suggestions on school nurse work

• School nurse led health workshops
• Schools can commission additional school nurse

time

• School nurses to deliver PSHE lessons/assembly
• Anonymous ways for pupils to contact the school

nurse

• Promotion of school nurse team in planners and on

school website

More info

• www.ayph.org.uk
• info@youngpeopleshealth.org.uk
• Twitter @AYPHcharity
• 0207 922 7715