OPINION
Ashley Reyes-Villafranca
Health class is just as beneficial as any core class high schoolers take, perhaps even more. These required classes help students better understand mental and physical health, substance abuse, nutritional health, and give students resources if they are in any compromising situations. This is why it is important that high school students take the course as 9th graders rather than in 11th or 12th grade. Freshmen should start the beginning of their high school journey with prior health knowledge that will prevent any poor decision-making and health risks and allow them to apply this knowledge as adults.
The curriculum focuses on physical and mental health and early awareness of these subjects can reduce adolescent health risks by promoting healthy practices. Students learn about how to establish healthy habits including dieting and exercise. Freshmen are already required to take physical education, so this can further expand their knowledge of responsible physical health. Additionally, health class teaches students about mental health and provides them with resources to help overcome mental and emotional struggles teenagers experience. Teenagers should have access to this information at the beginning of high school instead to overcome the physical and mental issues that Health class addresses.
Regardless of the surrounding taboo and parent objection, the reality is that teenagers have sexual intercourse. Sexual health education is essential to teenagers, as any unsafe decisions they make can significantly impact their futures. The curriculum teaches students how to recognize their body autonomy, better understand reproductive health, and reduce health risks among adolescents, including HIV, STDs, and teen pregnancy. Adolescents should be taught this at the beginning of their high school career to make safe choices as students and as future adults.
Lastly, health class touches upon other issues such as substance abuse. Education on substance abuse and the dangers of tobacco, vaping, and alcohol are essential for students as they begin to get curious and experience peer pressure. Substance abuse can lead to academic failure, unsafe choices, and in some cases, death. Teaching young students to avoid these harmful substances can ensure a stable future and avoid possible risks. Additionally, if 9th graders are taught about the dangers of substance abuse, we may have fewer fire alarms going off at 8:30 in the morning. Let’s just slap on pictures of damaged lungs in the stalls and hope this replaces the health insight these students lack.
Health class plays a pivotal role in a high school student’s academic career and improves students’ well-being by promoting knowledge and healthy practices. This is why it should be mandatory for students to take the semester class at the beginning of their high school career, not the end.