Health Module

Unit 1:  Preventive Care

Lesson 2:  Understanding Preventive Care

Notes While Lesson 1 brought up the importance of preventive care as a part of the US health care system, this lesson looks more at defining preventive care and exploring how it fits into learners’ lives.

Materials Needed:

  • Flip chart or large board and markers/chalk

  • Computer with Internet access and/or printer

  • Handout 1:  Preventive care quiz and Answer Key

Word Bank:

prevent
low-sodium
meditating
annual

Introductory Activity:  Discussion

  • The story of the man in Lesson 1 who put off getting treatment is about the importance of preventive care.  In the U.S., doctors feel preventive care is very important for everyone.  Can you explain what preventive care is?  What are examples of preventive care?

Notes Have a whole group discussion to try and define preventive care.  If your assistance is needed, you could say that preventive care is doing things to stop a health problem before it starts, or to stop a small health problem before it becomes a big one.  Elicit examples after you all agree on a definition.

Activity 1:  Preventive care quiz

Distribute Handout 1.  An Answer Key is provided with suggested discussion points.

Notes While the quiz activity may seem straightforward, if handled well it can generate a lot of discussion and sharing of opinions, in part due to different cultural viewpoints, and in part due to different personal health needs and perceptions.  What is preventive for one person may be harmful for another (e.g. drinking a glass of wine or eating meat).  Stress that there are no right or wrong answers, and encourage learners to discuss their opinions.

  • Now you will take a quiz to see what you think preventive care can be. 
  • On the quiz you will read examples of things that may or may not be preventive practices.  You need to decide if each thing is preventive care or not, and write yes or no.
  • For some there may not be one correct answer.  Think about how to explain why you choose yes or no.
  • Talk with a partner about your answers.
  • When everyone is finished, we'll discuss our answers together. 

After the quiz,

  • Now let's discuss your answers. 
  • Who thinks number 1 is preventive care? Why or why not? Etc.
  • Now I'd like you to think of 3 more items.  Write a quiz of your own and give it to a classmate.  Discuss your answers with each other.

Activity 2: How do you practice preventive care?

The purpose of this activity is to have learners reflect on how they and their family implement preventive care.

  • What kinds of things do you do in your life now that you consider preventive care?  Write a list.

  • What preventive health care practices does your family follow now?  Make a list for your family.

  • Talk with a partner and compare your lists.  

  • Did your partner’s list give you any different ideas?  Is there anything else you could do that you aren’t doing now?  Is there anything else you think you should do?

Activity 3:  Writing Expansion

Write a paragraph about your plans for preventive care in the next year for you or your family.  Is there anything you want to do differently?  Are there things you do now that you want to continue?  Are there things you haven't done that you feel you should be doing? Type your paragraph on the computer and print it for your teacher, or e-mail your teacher a copy.

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