Dear Editor:

On February 29th, 2012, 210 advocates for quality health education and physical education gathered at our state’s capitol to meet with legislators. Our message: strengthen requirements for quality health education and physical education for grades K-8, and support funding for health promotion and risk prevention programs, such as the Healthy Michigan Fund.

In these tough economic times, and with rising standards for academic performance, many schools have eliminated important subjects that are not required, particularly health education and physical education. However, more information comes to light almost every day that these subjects are not only important, but can help to positively affect students’ academic performance. Health education and physical education also contribute to the improvement of our state’s public health.

Michigan is fortunate to have strong leadership from the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Michigan Department of Education. Through quality curricula such as EPEC (physical education) and Michigan Model for Health (health education), Michigan is positioned well to create a healthy future for our youth.

The CDC has found substantial evidence that physical activity can help improve academic achievement. In addition, experts are pointing to physical education and health education as key public health tools in the fight against childhood obesity. Support for funding for health promotion and risk prevention programs and school-based physical education and health education is a “no-brainer” investment in the physical, academic and fiscal health of our state.

Working as a team, schools and families will be better equipped to fight preventable disease and poor academic achievement if our state has the support from your elected representatives and senators. Join the fight to strengthen the requirements for quality health and physical education for grades K-8.

Sincerely,

Michael Williams

Junior