State pushes health via the Web
The state has started an Internet service to encourage healthful lifestyles among young people and their families.
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and state Human Services Director Lillian Koller joined with Dr. Drew Pinsky, who hosts the "Strictly Dr. Drew" series on the Discovery Health Channel, in launching the service.
Pinsky, an addiction medicine expert, participated in an event at Washington Place last month
via a live satellite television feed from California.
The Discovery Health Connection Web service will be provided free by the Department of Human Services to 29 community groups and 191 locations through a federally funded, one-year pilot project.
The DHS-Discovery Health Connection project will promote educational achievement and increase awareness about drug abuse, underage drinking, tobacco, violence, nutrition, the human body, mental health, growth and development, physical activity and safety.
"Using this Web service to help young people and their families is a promising new approach for our state," Aiona said.
Koller said, "By providing this Internet service, we are targeting some of the most critical challenges facing Hawaii, including unwanted pregnancies, bullying in schools, domestic violence and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension."
Steve Sidel, Discovery Education president, said the health and prevention educational content of the Web service addresses the mind and body and "will extend learning beyond the classroom for children and families across the state."
The educational content meets No Child Left Behind requirements and includes 14 curriculum programs, more than 500 videos for children and adults, hundreds of literacy lessons and group learning activities.