How to Implement the School Health Index

What is the School Health Index?

The School Health Index (SHI) is a self-assessment and planning guide developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that enables schools to

• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of their school health promotion policies and programs.
• Develop an action plan for improving student health.
• Involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving school policies, programs, and services.

The policies and practices recommended in the School Health Index are derived from CDC’s research-based guidelines for school health programs, which identify the policies and practices most likely to be effective in improving youth health risk behaviors.

The SHI currently addresses five health topic areas, including:

• Physical activity
• Healthy eating
• Tobacco-use prevention
• Unintentional injury and violence prevention (safety)
• Asthma

It also includes cross-cutting questions, which address policies and practices that apply to all five health topic areas.

How much does it cost to get copies of the SHI?

Copies of the SHI are available free of charge! You can interactively complete, download, print, or order copies on the CDC Web Site at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/SHI or request a copy by email at cdcinfo@cdc.gov or by phone at 1-800-CDC-INFO.