Health education and concern for students’ health status have always been the shared responsibilities of the home, the school and the community. We serve a varied student body at UNIS which includes children of all ages and of many different cultures living in and around New York City. UNIS recognizes its responsibility to work with all children, their parents and community health care providers, to ensure that these health care and educational needs are identified and met and that students have the tools and experiences that will help them become productive, satisfied members of society.
Instructional methods vary from classroom presentations to group discussions to role playing; other activities include assemblies, project presentations and participation in conferences such as the observance of World AIDS Day at the United Nations.
Tutorial One
There is an increasing awareness among health professionals that many health problems are due to our lifestyle and are preventable. People tend to enjoy a healthier and longer life than ever before, yet school-age youth can face significant health challenges. The Tutorial One course focuses on developing a healthy lifestyle and making informed choices. The practice of healthful living will affect students in all areas of learning and influence lifelong habits.
The program of study focuses on the four areas of mental health, nutrition, substance use and abuse, family life and human sexuality. Topics covered include: sense of self, role of emotions, effects of stress, importance of a proper diet, influences of culture and the media on eating, self-image and eating disorders, use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, links between smoking and health, changes involved in adolescence, gender roles, relationship customs of different cultures, consequences of one’s behavior, birth control and sexually transmitted infections.