Preventing AIDS through education: concepts, strategies, and research priorities

Concepts related to the design and implementation of AIDS education programs in schools are presented. For each concept, the rationale and implications for curricular planning are described and health education research priorities are outlined. Teachers can make a major contribution in preventing HIV transmission among youth, perhaps the single largest contribution of any professional group. To do so, however, may require letting go of familiar roles and assuming a redefined and expanded role. Improvements in the theory base for school health education provide guidelines that can be used by teachers to clarify and reinforce curriculum efforts and to adapt to this new role.