Health Education across Academic Disciplines (HEAAD): A Tool to Help Students Think Critically about the Risks of Excessive Cell Phone Use

Background and Purpose: Studies have shown that teens who hypertext are at a higher risk to engage in other health risk behaviors including binge drinking, tobacco use, illicit drug use, partaking in physical fights, engaging in risky sexual behavior, and driving distracted. Interventions addressing excessive use of mobile devices have mainly focused on mobile phone use while driving. The aim is to describe the Health Education Across Academic Disciplines (HEAAD) teaching tool and implementation, which may help to educate and raise awareness of the risks associated with excessive cell phone use among adolescents and young adults. Educational Teaching Tool: HEAAD includes introductory activities ranging from identifying risks related to excessive cell phone use to follow-up interactive activities with examples applied across academic disciplines other than health. HEAAD targets students in grades nine through twelve and can be adapted to the college population for freshmen and sophomores enrolled in personal health and wellness classes and/or other health orientation and first year experience classes. Conclusion: HEAAD intends to engage students in practicing decision-making skills related to excessive cell phone use, which may be applicable to their lives. Pilot testing of HEAAD is recommended to determine its effectiveness and potential

Attitudes and Practices of University Health Education Faculty Related to Alternative Medicine

This study determined attitudes and practices, including gender differences, of university health education faculty regarding advocacy and use of alternative medicine. A random sample of health education instructors from institutions offering degrees in health education was surveyed using a written questionnaire. Health education instructors from 41 out of 48 states and territories with programs in health education responded to this survey, comprising a total of 220 usable responses. Results of this survey indicated health education instructors were more likely than the general population to use alternative medicine therapies. The majority of instructors who used such therapies reported high to moderate levels of satisfaction. Significant gender differences were uncovered regarding use, satisfaction, and advocacy for alternative medicine