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Reorienting School Health Education in Iran: A Policy Call Based on the WHO Framework
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Hashem Mohamadian *   , Naser Hatamzadeh |
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Abstract: (28 Views) |
The Iranian education system faces numerous challenges in delivering effective health education, largely due to its reliance on traditional approaches and fragmented interventions. As the epidemiological profile shifts—with a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health disorders among adolescents—a fundamental reassessment of current strategies is urgently needed. This paper critically examines the current state of school health education in Iran by comparing it with the World Health Organization’s Health Promoting Schools (HPS) framework, identifying key structural and implementation gaps.
Available evidence suggests that HPS initiatives in Iran are often implemented in a limited and reductionist manner, largely confined to symbolic actions and individual-level interventions. Moreover, the prevailing emphasis on information dissemination—without sufficient attention to social determinants of health and the creation of supportive environments—has reduced the effectiveness of these programs and may contribute to widening health inequalities.
Transitioning toward the comprehensive, ecological approach advocated by the HPS framework requires several strategic actions: elevating the status of health within educational policy, fostering supportive physical and social school environments, strengthening human resource capacity, and promoting applied, action-oriented research to guide practice. Aligning Iran’s school health programs with this framework offers a pathway toward achieving more equitable and sustainable health outcomes among students.
Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
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| Keywords: Health Education, Health Promoting Schools, Health Policy, Iran, World Health Organization |
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Type of Study: Letter to the Editor |
Subject:
Health Policies and Legislation
Received: 2026/02/24 | Accepted: 2026/06/25
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