Health Education is an essential academic subject that teaches young people to take care of their minds, their bodies, and the people around them. Health Education builds a foundation for academic success by teaching all students how to make healthy and informed decisions. In New York State, all students at all grade levels must receive comprehensive Health Education. 

Health Education addresses issues that are present and relevant for our students right now, such as the lasting impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid epidemic, vaping, consent, healthy relationships, and mental health, while also providing the social-emotional, skills-based instruction that all young people need to be safe, healthy, and academically successful.  Students can also learn how to apply the skills to prevent illness, access valid health information and services, and care for their social, emotional, and mental health. Access to high-quality Health Education is also an equity issue.  We can help address these disparities now and for the future by investing in preventive measures like Health Education, including mental health education.

This page provides Health Education resources and materials, including the New York City Health Education Scope and Sequence documents. These resources and materials are designed to support teachers as they deepen their understanding of Health Education expectations, including mandatory HIV education lessons (opens in new window) and mental health lessons to be taught every year for all grades and sexual health education as part of Comprehensive Health Education for grades 6-12.