Diffusion of an Integrated Health Education Program in an Urban School System: Planet Health

OBJECTIVE: Assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of Planet Health, an interdisciplinary, integrated health education curriculum implemented in six public middle schools. METHODS: Workshops on Planet Health implementation were attended by 129 teachers (language arts, math, science, and social studies) over three school years (1999-2000, 2000-2001, and 2001-2002). Questionnaires were administered post-implementation and in the fall and spring of each year. Outcomes were dose, acceptability, feasibility, and intent to continue use. RESULTS: The average number of lessons taught per teacher per year was 1.7 to 3.1, compared to a goal of 2 to 3. Each year, teachers reported high acceptability and perceived feasibility of the intervention, and the majority indicated they intended to continue using the curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Planet Health was feasible and acceptable in a participatory research model involving a public school-university partnership, and it was also sustainable independent of the research effort.