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| Healthy Schools = Healthy Youth |
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 The American Cancer Society knows that cancer prevention efforts must begin at an early age if we want to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. We know that health related habits learned in childhood carry through to adult life and if we can teach our children to make healthy choices when they are young, their chances of becoming an active, healthy adult increase.
Nearly 15,000 school systems in the United States serve over 50 million children and youth – by far the largest and most organized system to reach our youngsters. Furthermore, the school system's goal to enrich the lives of students makes it a natural avenue for giving young people the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to start, stop, or change health behaviors.
For those reasons, the American Cancer Society has been an advocate for school health for many years, encouraging schools to embrace student health as a critical component to student success. It is one of the most promising means of ensuring healthy children today and decreasing cancer illness and death in the future.
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| It’s more than just a health class—find out what schools and ACS are doing to support school health.
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| Learn about the 8 components of a quality school health program and what happens when they all work together!
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| Use the American Cancer Society guidebook for steps to developing and sustaining a great School Health Council.
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| What are the National Health Education Standards? How do they help schools and how can I order a copy?
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| School staff, parents and communities can all do a lot to support healthy youth. Get involved!
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