The Arizona Department of Education is partnering with a nonprofit co-founded by daytime TV celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz to offer optional health education programming to schools. Arizona is HealthCorps’ only state partner. Oz visited Kenilworth Elementary School in central Phoenix on Monday to announce the partnership alongside retired National Football League players and education officials.“Young people tell us they don’t feel like they control anything; they don’t make any real important decisions. Well, you do make one big one, which is about your body,” said Oz, HealthCorps’ board of directors chair. “If you can change what’s happening in your body, you can change the world outside it.”What is HealthCorps?HealthCorps places peer mentors from Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University in low-resourced, high-needs middle and high schools. College mentors lead clubs about mental and physical health challenges facing students’ local communities. Then, the students research and develop solutions to a health challenge, which they present to the rest of their school campus.Students have created TikTok dance challenges, 5K runs, fitness field days and community gardens as solutions projects.“It’s really about giving them the tools to make real change, not just talking about it,” HealthCorps CEO Amy Braun said.Nearly 90% of participating students implement at least one health behavior change after taking part in the program, such as drinking enough water in a day to stay properly hydrated or making exercise a routine, according to the nonprofit.The organization works with schools and organizations in eight states, according to Braun. That includes four “partner sites” in Arizona.“We needed help,” said Kenilworth Principal Anthony Pietrangeli. “We don’t have the resources without HealthCorps to reach as far into these students’ homes.”The education departme …
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