Introduction: Children living in poverty are often pre-disposed to multiple diseases due to lifestyle, lack of health education, lack of access to health care, behaviors, environmental factors and familial history. The lifestyle of many youth is not optimal as indicated by lack of preventive health care, poor nutrition, high incidence of smoking, etc. Objectives: The onset of chronic disease may be prevented or ameliorated by increased access to health care and education, social assessments, awareness of familial history, and positive approaches to behavioral change. The long-term goal of this project is to prevent or reduce chronic disease incidence in New Haven's medically underserved populations, by implementing prevention-based initiatives in the School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) run by Yale-New Haven Hospital. Methods: Survey tools will be developed and focus groups will be conducted to assess the family health history, behaviors, lifestyle, knowledge and attitudes of school-aged children regarding chronic diseases. Conclusions: Greater attention must be paid to the prevention of the onset of chronic diseases. SBHCs provide an ideal environment in which to establish a pilot project that targets strategic health education and prevention for youth.
Learning Objectives: After viewing the poster, the learner will be able to: 1. Identify major risk behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge of school-aged young people, enrolled at an urban school, as they relate to chronic diseases. 2. Recognize the potential for school-based chronic disease prevention efforts
Keywords: Chronic Diseases, School-Based Programs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.