Topic: Nutrition/Diet, Physical Activity, Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco, Reproductive Health, Safety, Social Competency, Emotional Competency, STI
Target Population: Adolescents, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood
Sector: School-Based
This program is for youth who are in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Michigan Model for Health™ (MMH), a school-based, health-education program, is designed to promote health and wellness among youth.
A randomized controlled trial implementing this program with 4th and 5th grade students at 52 schools in Michigan and Indiana demonstrated that students receiving the intervention had better interpersonal communication skills, social and emotional skills, drug refusal skills, physical activity skills, and safety skills and attitudes compared to the control group students. Intervention students also reported higher consumption of fruits, lower intentions to use alcohol and tobacco, less alcohol and tobacco use initiation during the study and in the past 30 days, and reduced levels of aggression. However, there was a significant decrease in consumption of vegetables and low-fat milk and a significant increase in French fries in intervention and control groups, and there was no change in physical activity behaviors or attitudes in either group. Follow-up was conducted 6 weeks after the end of the intervention; therefore, the follow-up time period was not long enough to qualify the program for a Promising placement.
This program’s curriculum introduces, develops, and reinforces important health promotion and prevention messages throughout a child’s school years. Program content at each grade level centers around the following topics:
Michigan schools have implemented MMH since 1985. The program is being implemented in over 38 states and has reached over 8.4 million students.
This program is facilitated by teachers and training is strongly recommended. Online and instructor-led training options are available. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring administration, teacher, and student buy-in; arranging for facilitators to receive training; making time in an existing curriculum for program lessons; and ensuring the program is delivered with fidelity.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing MMH, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
The number of lessons delivered varies by grade level, and lessons range from 20 to 50 minutes each.
Please visit https://mmhclearinghouse.org/ for information on program materials and costs.
To move MMH to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Michigan Model for Health by phone 1-888-517-6195, email support@michiganmodelforhealth.org, or visit https://www.michiganmodelforhealth.org/contact
Fahlman, M. M., Dake, J. A., McCaughtry, N., & Martin, J. (2008). A pilot study to examine the effects of a nutrition intervention on nutrition knowledge, behaviors, and efficacy expectations in middle school children: Research article. The Journal of School Health, 78(4), 216-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00289.x
O'Neill, J. M., Clark, J. K., & Jones, J. A. (2011). Promoting mental health and preventing substance abuse and violence in elementary students: A randomized control study of the Michigan Model for Health. *The Journal of School Health, 81(*6), 320-330. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00597.x
O'Neill, J. M., Clark, J. K., & Jones, J. A. (2016). Promoting fitness and safety in elementary students: A randomized control study of the Michigan Model for Health. The Journal of School Health, 86(7), 516-525. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12407
