Heart Health Education: Youth Take Heart

www.youthtakeheart.org

Youth Take Heart is a four- to-six week comprehensive curriculum that focuses on heart anatomy, the causes of cardiovascular disease, prevention of cardiovascular disease through heart-healthy nutrition and physical activity, as well as biotechnological solutions for repairing damaged heart tissue. YTH is designed to educate middle-school aged youth and the general public about cardiovascular disease, including how to prevent heart disease and live a heart healthy life. 

It is a cutting edge science education program for 21st century classrooms, created by the Hope Heart Institute through a collaborative effort with The University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB), a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center, and MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement).

Cumulative Facts & Figures| At a Glance
# of school districts | 18                     
# of private schools | 7
# of teachers trained | 66        
# of students instructed | 14,680

What Teachers are saying about Youth Take Heart

Contact:
Meagan Jepson
425-456-8717
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What is Youth Take Heart?

Youth Take Heart has developed a curriculum to promote health among middle school-aged youth. The curriculum includes:

• Guy Simplant, an Internet-based/CD-ROM program (originally developed by UWEB) which focuses on exploring ways to repair or replace a heart.
• An educational program kit addressing the connections between cardiovascular health and other body systems.
• Career opportunities in science and medicine, and cardiovascular disease risk reduction in youth.
• Special focus is placed on reaching underrepresented minority and low-income youth who are at very high risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Youth Take Heart Curriculum

Developed by teachers and scientists, the 2-week comprehensive science curriculum teaches about:

• The structure and function of the heart.
• The role of diet and lifestyle factors on heart health.
• The role of science and technology on treating heart and vessel diseases.
• Science and technology careers.
• All lessons align with Washington State Essential Learning Requirements in Science.

Why Youth Take Heart?

11% of children are obese today compared to 5% in the 1970's.
In 2000 only 25% of kids are physically active compared to 45% in 1991.
Health care costs attributed to cardiovascular health factors increased by 228% percent in 2000.
Childhood is the optimal time to teach healthy habits that can prevent heart disease and stroke later in life. Youth Take Heart does just that.

Where Our Kits Have Been:

This map shows schools where The Hope Heart Institute's "Youth Take Heart" curriculum has be taught. Data spans from 2003-2011. Approximately 10,480 students served!