Youth Perspectives of School-Based Health Education: Findings from a US Youth-Led Nationwide Qualitative Survey
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| Title: | Youth Perspectives of School-Based Health Education: Findings from a US Youth-Led Nationwide Qualitative Survey |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Ashley Durden, Juniar Lucien, Samantha A. Chuisano (ORCID |
| Source: | Health Education Journal. 2026 85(1):15-28. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (DHHS/NIH) National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | R25GM137361 K01DK134766 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Health Education, Adolescents, Young Adults, Health Behavior, Attitudes, Curriculum Development, Program Effectiveness, Inclusion, Teacher Competencies, Barriers, Health Needs, Elementary Secondary Education, Physical Health, Mental Health, Sexuality, Information Sources, Relevance (Education) |
| DOI: | 10.1177/00178969251376859 |
| ISSN: | 0017-8969 1748-8176 |
| Abstract: | Objective: While most primary and secondary school students in the USA participate in school-based health education to promote a healthy lifestyle, adolescents and young adults continue to engage in risk-related behaviour. National guidelines encourage youth inclusion when developing health curricula, but there is minimal evidence of youth voice in current education programmes. High school student co-researchers designed a qualitative survey to gather youth perspectives on health education and guide improvements to future curriculum development. Method: The 5-question survey was sent to 791 14- to 24-year-olds in the USA using a weekly text message poll. The research team and youth co-researchers conducted an iterative thematic analysis of text message responses. Participant demographics were described and differences between responders and non-responders were analysed using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests. Results: 506 participants responded to all five survey questions (response rate 64%). Thematic analysis resulted in three final themes with young people (1) feeling that the school-based health education they received was insubstantial; (2) wanting their school-based health education to be inclusive; and (3) wanting school-based health education to be taught by dedicated and trained educators. Conclusion: While young people want to improve their understanding of mental, sexual and physical health to establish healthier habits, current limitations in school-based health education result in many young people feeling excluded and without practical or relevant guidance. Our findings support the need to reform health education so as to comprehensively address youth's diverse and evolving needs. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1495909 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Objective: While most primary and secondary school students in the USA participate in school-based health education to promote a healthy lifestyle, adolescents and young adults continue to engage in risk-related behaviour. National guidelines encourage youth inclusion when developing health curricula, but there is minimal evidence of youth voice in current education programmes. High school student co-researchers designed a qualitative survey to gather youth perspectives on health education and guide improvements to future curriculum development. Method: The 5-question survey was sent to 791 14- to 24-year-olds in the USA using a weekly text message poll. The research team and youth co-researchers conducted an iterative thematic analysis of text message responses. Participant demographics were described and differences between responders and non-responders were analysed using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests. Results: 506 participants responded to all five survey questions (response rate 64%). Thematic analysis resulted in three final themes with young people (1) feeling that the school-based health education they received was insubstantial; (2) wanting their school-based health education to be inclusive; and (3) wanting school-based health education to be taught by dedicated and trained educators. Conclusion: While young people want to improve their understanding of mental, sexual and physical health to establish healthier habits, current limitations in school-based health education result in many young people feeling excluded and without practical or relevant guidance. Our findings support the need to reform health education so as to comprehensively address youth's diverse and evolving needs. |
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| ISSN: | 0017-8969 1748-8176 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/00178969251376859 |
