Blog & News

PA School Student Contest Winners 2024/25 State Fruit Contest-

First & Second Place Winners Eastern PA Tredyffrin Easttown Middle School First Place -Sanvika Sarangi Upper Merion Area School District Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. Second Place: Leslie and CeCe Matsil First & Second Place Winners Central PA Vida Charter school First Place: Nia Chavez, A

In the News…

Students Visit Harrisburg to Promote Healthy Eating and Advocate for Child Safety Legislation Students from Vida Charter School and the Upper Merion Area School District traveled to Harrisburg this week to advocate for two important statewide initiatives supporting children’s health and safety. On M

Protecting Children, Disabled Pedestrians, and Law-Abiding Families

Pennsylvania Must Act Now on E-Scooter Warnings and School-Zone Speed Cameras As the holiday season approaches, Pennsylvania families are purchasing electric scooters marketed as toys and transportation for children—even though most of these devices are illegal to operate on public roads and sidewal

Empowering Student Voices: One Student’s Advocacy for Health and Safe Routes to School

Empowering Student Voices: One Student’s Advocacy for Health and Safe Routes to School In the Upper Merion Area School District (UMASD), a middle school student has emerged as a powerful example of youth leadership—championing health, safety, and student voice in local decision-making. Over the past

Celebrating Differently: Rethinking Health, Food, and Joy This Summer

Celebrating Differently: Rethinking Health, Food, and Joy This Summer As I think of my family and friends and celebrating this summer, I can’t help but reflect on how many of them have faced illness—depression, autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, or struggles with weight. In fact, most of the pe

National Nutrition Month

March – National Nutrition Month By Anett Ume, MA, RD, LDN National Nutrition Month® began in 1973 as National Nutrition Week and became amonth-long observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition. Whileknowledge of nutrition science has evolved over the years, one thing remains cons

newsletter

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Pennsylvania Students Advocate for State Fruit:A Push for Healthy Eating and Legislative Change

Pennsylvania Students Advocate for State Fruit:A Push for Healthy Eating and Legislative Change althy eating by proposing a state fruit for the Commonwealth. The contest was designed to raise awareness about the health benefits of various fruits while encouraging the community to embrace better eati

The Impact of Anxiety on Our Lives

The Impact of Anxiety on Our Lives Diseases are embedded into human life. One of these diseases is anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling that causes uneasiness and fear. Many people experience anxiety daily from asking people to help you with locating cereal in a grocery store, to asking your waiter for som

The Importance of Providing Healthy Food During the Holiday Season

The Importance of Providing Healthy Food During the Holiday Season Dr. Marianne Infante, M.Ed, OTD November 3, 2024 As the holiday season approaches, many of us are filled with joy and anticipation, eager to celebrate with family and friends. However, this time of year also brings unique challenges,

Infusing CPR into our Daily Lives

Infusing CPR into our Daily Lives December 2024 by Narayani Sakthinathan Stephanie Austin’s life had been saved through the use of CPR. On a lazy Sunday morning when most would be sleeping in, Stephanie’s husband, Matt Austin -a Pennsylvania Orthopedic Surgeon- received a call from another doctor. W

The Role of Diet in Mental Health

The Role of Diet in Mental Health By Medha Modekurti December 2024 4 min read It is well known that diet is essential to keep the body well. Many believe that a healthy diet ensures physical wellness. Although this is valid, a healthy diet also ensures better mental health. In terms of overall healt

Promoting Menstrual Health Equity in Pennsylvania: A Comprehensive Public Health

Assessment

Exciting Vision for Healthy Community Lifespaces: Promoting Health and Equity

Our Exciting Vision for Healthy Community Lifespaces: Promoting Health and Equity

FREE act 48 credits of School Wellness

Putting local wellness plans into action

Marketing and Screen time in schools

Reimagining Halloween in America: From Candy back to Creativity

Reimagining Halloween in America: From Candy back to Creativity As a child, Halloween was always a highlight for me, not because of the candy but because of the creativity it sparked. With my mother’s help, we would bring my costume ideas to life, and my brother would often join in on the fun. We at

Engaging Students

Harnessing the Power of Contests to Engage Students in Health Promotion In today’s educational landscape, fostering student engagement is more important than ever. Contests are a dynamic tool to inspire and involve students, offering innovative approaches to capture their interest and enthusiasm. Re

The Importance of Low-Sugar, Healthy Foods for the Homeless

The Importance of Low-Sugar, Healthy Foods for the Homeless Feeding the homeless is a vital act of compassion, but the nutritional quality of the food provided can significantly impact their overall health and wellbeing. While offering meals is essential, focusing on low-sugar and healthy foods can

Screen time

The Hidden Impact of Screen Time: A Fresh Start for the School Year Imagine this: It’s the first day of school, and Alex, a 14-year-old student, is excited to see friends and start fresh. But as the day progresses, Alex finds it hard to focus, feels unusually anxious, and struggles to keep up with t

Should Athletic Associations Promote Overall Whole Child Health in their Activities?

Should Athletic Associations Promote Overall Whole Child Health in their Activities? What if athletic associations, sports teams, and other youth-oriented organizations set the standard by promoting healthy eating habits to support whole child health in the face of prevalent childhood obesity and re

Cultivating Community Wellness: The Power of the Walking School Bus

Cultivating Community Wellness: The Power of the Walking School Bus In our bustling communities, where schedules are packed and screens dominate, fostering habits that promote both physical and mental well-being becomes paramount. One innovative solution gaining traction is the concept of the walkin

Cultivating Healthy Habits: How Gardening Nurtures Children’s and Intergenerational  Health and Well-being

Cultivating Healthy Habits: How Gardening Nurtures Children’s and Intergenerational Health and Well-being In today’s fast-paced digital age, where screens dominate our attention and convenience often trumps nutritional value, instilling healthy habits in children can be a challenge. Together there’s

Community Engagement – For the Health of It!

Community Engagement – For the Health of It! In this article, we explore 5 practical ways to foster health and well-being within your family and community. From simple daily routines to impactful community initiatives, learn how small actions can make a big difference in promoting health and vitalit

March Health News:

March Marks National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Don’t Wait, Act Now: Prevent colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is a common type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum. It occurs due to the abnormal growth of cells in these areas, often starting as benign polyps that can become malignan

A Call for Health Equity to Prevent Tooth Decay in All Children

February Marks National Children’s Dental Health Month: A Call for Health Equity to Prevent Tooth Decay in All Children .As February rolls in, so does National Children’s Dental Health Month, serving as a reminder of the critical importance of oral health in our youngest population. While we often d

PA Coalition for Menstrual Equity

PA Coalition for Menstrual Equity Empowering the New Year: Joining Forces to Tackle Period Poverty in Pennsylvania As we usher in this New Year, heartfelt gratitude goes out to those who’ve collaborated with the PA State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and various nonprofits, tirelessly working towar

Student Internship for Promoting Community Health

High School Student Internship for Promoting Community Health What’s the deal with our Internship Program? It’s like your backstage pass to gain awesome experience while making your community better. You get to pick what areas you’re into and work on cool projects that match your interests. Plus, yo