How health education could pay off

April 5, 2010
by LOTUS YU
Detroit Free Press

The ongoing health care debate has focused on accessible and affordable health care. Although reforming health care policies is important, we need to change the health behaviors that make our health system one of the most expensive in the developed world. Costly chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are linked to obesity, smoking and diet - things we can do something about.

The Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that nearly one-fifth of high school students smoke cigarettes and binge drink. Over 50% do not attend any physical education classes, and the number of overweight youth has been increasing. These behaviors set the stage for lifelong obesity, smoking habits and poor diet.

According to Trust for America's Health, in five years, Michigan could save $545 million in annual health care costs by spending just $10 per person on programs to increase physical activity, encourage better nutrition and prevent the use of tobacco.

We need a school-based health education program so our children can develop good lifelong health habits and not rack up medical bills. Oh wait, one already exists! The nationally acclaimed Michigan Model for Health is our state's school health education program, which is used in 90% of Michigan schools, servicing nearly one million students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The program provides students age-appropriate health education. Its curriculum has historically been responsive to community suggestions and is proven effective in drug and tobacco prevention and in encouraging physical activity and healthy eating habits.

However, the budget for the Michigan Model has eroded year after year. Its funding in 2009-10 is roughly a third of its allotted budget for 2001. This money is necessary for continual curriculum revision and the update and training of teachers in order to stay current.

The revision process is what makes this program valuable. The Michigan Model infrastructure consists of 25 salaried health coordinators who provide critical training and technical assistance. Financial cuts result in many Michigan children and youth being denied the quality health education they need. Under the illusion of saving money, these funding cuts will actually cost Michigan taxpayers hundreds of millions more in health care costs.

To make matters worse, pressures to focus on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test, a standardized test taken by Michigan students from elementary to middle school, encourage Michigan Model trained teachers to set aside all teaching that is not related to the MEAP. Consequently, our children are not receiving the same health education that was proven to be effective.

After-school programs could minimize damage by integrating the Michigan Model into their programs. However, over $2 million was cut from Michigan after-school programs last year and not all students participate in these programs, so it is unlikely they can fill this gap.

How can funding be restored to support the Michigan Model? It seems only natural to tax foods with no nutritional value in order to provide school health education. While food is a basic necessity and should not be taxed, sugary drinks and "junk food" are not and should be considered a luxury. The benefits of taxing these items are multifold: discouraging junk food and sugary drinks, providing revenue for the Michigan Model, healthier kids, and the resultant taxpayer savings in health care expenditures.

In 1985, Michigan set a national example by launching the Michigan Model. We should continue to be a model for other states by reducing chronic diseases in order to decrease skyrocketing health care costs. At the same time, we ensure that our children receive needed health education for healthier lives.

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