Teen Health, Course 1

Chapter 11: Preventing Diseases

Parent Letters - English

Parent Letter and Activities
For use with Chapter 11

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child’s health class is studying how to prevent diseases. The topics include causes, prevention, and treatment of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

Questions your child will consider include: How do I “catch” and spread diseases such as colds and flu? How can I keep from getting sick so often? What is the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases? What can I do to keep myself healthy from heart disease, cancer, and diabetes? With your help, your child can explore these questions with confidence and find satisfying answers.

To support and extend our classroom work, please set aside some time during the next few weeks to complete one or more of the following activities with your child.

• Work with your child to think of good habits you follow in avoiding disease. Talk about how these habits affect your total health.
• Talk with your child about sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. Discuss ways your child can protect himself or herself from them.
• Share your family health history. Make your child aware of any family history of noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or asthma.