Skills-Based Health Education

What is skills-based health education?

We are glad you asked!

Skills-based health education is “a planned, sequential, comprehensive, and relevant set of learning experiences implemented through socio-ecological and sociocultural perspectives and participatory methods, in order to support the development of skills, attitudes and functional knowledge needed to maintain, enhance or promote health and well-being of self and others across multiple dimensions of wellness” (from upcoming second edition of The Essentials of Teaching Health Education coming out in 2021).

What is skills-based health education?

We are glad you asked!

Skills-based health education is “a planned, sequential, comprehensive, and relevant set of learning experiences implemented through socio-ecological and sociocultural perspectives and participatory methods, in order to support the development of skills, attitudes and functional knowledge needed to maintain, enhance or promote health and well-being of self and others across multiple dimensions of wellness” (from upcoming second edition of The Essentials of Teaching Health Education coming out in 2021).

Here are some key aspects of a skills-based approach:

Skills of the National Health Education Standards are the foundation and focus in a skills-based approach. This differs from “traditional” health education programs in which the content (e.g. drugs, nutrition, mental health) are often the focus.

A skills-based approach includes functional information; information that is usable, applicable and relevant and that supports health-promoting attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. Educators are encouraged to be intentional and thoughtful about what information is included and why, to consider how the information will advance student health and well-being and if it is truly necessary and functional.

The approach is informed by health behavior theory which suggests that knowledge alone does not change behaviors. We need to help students develop skills needed to maintain or enhance health and well-being, to address values and beliefs related to health and well-being and engage in critical thinking and inquiry about health and what it means to “be healthy”. All these aspects are central in a skills-based approach.

In a skills-based approach, students are at the center. Through the focus on relevance of the curriculum and instruction for students, as well as the emphasis on students-centered, active learning strategies in which students have ownership and voice in various aspects of the health education program, students drive the programming.

Importantly, a skills-based approach is implemented through socio-cultural and socio-political perspectives in which the “bigger picture” aspects that affect and shape health and well-being are a critical part of health education.

We could say a lot more about skills-based health education, but wanted to provide a snapshot of key aspects of this approach. There are a number of resources on our conference presentations and publications pages if you want to learn more. We also welcome direct inquiries related to understanding more about a skills-based approach.