(NaturalNews) Marian Uhlman, a former health reporter with The Philadelphia Inquirer who played a role in getting obesity to the forefront of minds, has started Healthy NewsWorks, an effort designed to increase awareness about health among young students. (1) The idea is that health journalism is integrated in school curricula where students take on the role of a journalist, allowing them to write stories based on their interviews with public figures ranging from civil leaders to chefs.

They focus on the physical and mental health topics that they've learned from such individuals, write on the topic and then turn in their story to their teacher who takes on the role of editor. (1)

In general, schools typically teach health-related topics to children that include everything from obesity prevention and nutrition to peer pressure and bullying, but instilling better health habits in young children in such a hands-on manner is important. (2)

One student who is part of the Healthy NewsWorks network, for example, introduced her topic by asking the question, "What happens if someone gets the wrong medicine?" (1)

Interaction important for children to learn about health

They ask questions themselves, interact with others and learn first-hand about a variety of health issues that can impact people now or in the future, no matter how large or small the issue. Rather than merely learn from a textbook or something that becomes cliche over time, they get to learn for themselves and collaborate with their peers to deliver health-driven messages.

Headlines in some of their newspapers have included "Trying to find a solution to hiccups" and "Students walk for diabetes," all written by grade-school students who have interviewed others. (3) Stories are filled with quotes and helpful tips, and many times, newspapers also contain drawings done by the children to illustrate a particular health topic.

Since 2003, students in grades 3 through 8 across 25 Philadelphia-area schools have published these health-focused school newspapers, and from 2013 to 2014, their papers were delivered to about 6,000 students. (1) All part of the Healthy NewsWorks initiative, their papers have even been placed in libraries, doctors' offices and other businesses. (1)

Sources:

(1) http://www.philly.com

(2) http://www.teach-nology.com

(3) http://www.nasd.k12.pa.us [PDF]

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A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia