importance of health essay pdf for students

Essay on Health for Students and Children

500+ words essay on health.

Essay on Health: Health was earlier said to be the ability of the body functioning well. However, as time evolved, the definition of health also evolved. It cannot be stressed enough that health is the primary thing after which everything else follows. When you maintain good health , everything else falls into place.

Similarly, maintaining good health is dependent on a lot of factors. It ranges from the air you breathe to the type of people you choose to spend your time with. Health has a lot of components that carry equal importance. If even one of them is missing, a person cannot be completely healthy.

Constituents of Good Health

First, we have our physical health. This means being fit physically and in the absence of any kind of disease or illness . When you have good physical health, you will have a longer life span. One may maintain their physical health by having a balanced diet . Do not miss out on the essential nutrients; take each of them in appropriate quantities.

Secondly, you must exercise daily. It may be for ten minutes only but never miss it. It will help your body maintain physical fitness. Moreover, do not consume junk food all the time. Do not smoke or drink as it has serious harmful consequences. Lastly, try to take adequate sleep regularly instead of using your phone.

Next, we talk about our mental health . Mental health refers to the psychological and emotional well-being of a person. The mental health of a person impacts their feelings and way of handling situations. We must maintain our mental health by being positive and meditating.

Subsequently, social health and cognitive health are equally important for the overall well-being of a person. A person can maintain their social health when they effectively communicate well with others. Moreover, when a person us friendly and attends social gatherings, he will definitely have good social health. Similarly, our cognitive health refers to performing mental processes effectively. To do that well, one must always eat healthily and play brain games like Chess, puzzles and more to sharpen the brain.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Physical Health Alone is Not Everything

There is this stigma that surrounds mental health. People do not take mental illnesses seriously. To be completely fit, one must also be mentally fit. When people completely discredit mental illnesses, it creates a negative impact.

For instance, you never tell a person with cancer to get over it and that it’s all in their head in comparison to someone dealing with depression . Similarly, we should treat mental health the same as physical health.

Parents always take care of their children’s physical needs. They feed them with nutritious foods and always dress up their wounds immediately. However, they fail to notice the deteriorating mental health of their child. Mostly so, because they do not give it that much importance. It is due to a lack of awareness amongst people. Even amongst adults, you never know what a person is going through mentally.

Thus, we need to be able to recognize the signs of mental illnesses . A laughing person does not equal a happy person. We must not consider mental illnesses as a taboo and give it the attention it deserves to save people’s lives.

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Healthy Living Guide 2020/2021

A digest on healthy eating and healthy living.

As we transition from 2020 into 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect nearly every aspect of our lives. For many, this health crisis has created a range of unique and individual impacts—including food access issues, income disruptions, and emotional distress.

Although we do not have concrete evidence regarding specific dietary factors that can reduce risk of COVID-19, we do know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to keeping our immune system strong. Beyond immunity, research has shown that individuals following five key habits—eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, keeping a healthy body weight, not drinking too much alcohol, and not smoking— live more than a decade longer than those who don’t. Plus, maintaining these practices may not only help us live longer, but also better. Adults following these five key habits at middle-age were found to live more years free of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

While sticking to healthy habits is often easier said than done, we created this guide with the goal of providing some tips and strategies that may help. During these particularly uncertain times, we invite you to do what you can to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and hopefully (if you’re able to try out a new recipe or exercise, or pick up a fulfilling hobby) find some enjoyment along the way.

Download a copy of the Healthy Living Guide (PDF) featuring printable tip sheets and summaries, or access the full online articles through the links below. 

In this issue:

• Understanding the body’s immune system
• Does an immune-boosting diet exist?
• The role of the microbiome
• A closer look at vitamin and herbal supplements
• 8 tips to support a healthy immune system
• A blueprint for building healthy meals
• Food feature: lentils 
• Strategies for eating well on a budget
• Practicing mindful eating
• What is precision nutrition?
• Ketogenic diet
• Intermittent fasting
• Gluten-free
• 10 tips to keep moving
• Exercise safety
• Spotlight on walking for exercise
• How does chronic stress affect eating patterns?
• Ways to help control stress
• How much sleep do we need?
• Why do we dream?
• Sleep deficiency and health
• Tips for getting a good night’s rest

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Essay on Health: Long and Short Essay Samples

• Updated on  
• Jan 3, 2024

Essay on Health:

Earlier, health was said to be the ability of the body to function well. However, as the time evolved, the definition of health also evolved. Health now, is the primary thing after which everything else follows. When you maintain good health, everything else falls into place.

In an era where our lives are increasingly busy and filled with demands, our health often takes a backseat. Yet, it’s a priceless asset that influences every facet of our existence. In this blog, we explore the multifaceted realm of health through both long and short essay samples. From the significance of well-being to practical tips for maintaining it, our collection delves into the critical role health plays in our lives. Join us in this journey to uncover the secrets of a healthier, happier life.

Table of Contents

• 1 How to Maintain Health?
• 2 Importance of Health
• 3 Sample Essay On Health in 150 Words
• 4 Sample Essay On Health in 300 Words

Must Read: Essay On My Hobby

How to Maintain Health?

Good health is above wealth. Listed foundational practices below promote overall health and well-being: 

• Balanced Diet: Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Do not miss out on the essential nutrients; take each of them in appropriate quantities.
• Regular Exercise: Exercise daily, it can be for a duration of 15-30 minutes. Include strength training exercises to build muscle and bone strength.
• Adequate Sleep: Prioritize 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to support physical and mental well-being. Instead of using your phone, go to sleep at a reasonable hour.
• Stress Management: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or mindfulness.
• Regular Check-ups: Schedule routine health check-ups and screenings to detect and address health issues early.
• Avoid Bad Habits: Do not smoke or drink as it has serious harmful consequences.

Importance of Health

Good health is vital for a fulfilling life. It empowers us to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally, enhancing overall well-being. It is of paramount importance for various reasons:

• Quality of Life: It directly affects our daily lives, enabling us to enjoy activities, work, and relationships to the fullest.
• Productivity: Good health enhances productivity, allowing us to perform better in our personal and professional endeavours.
• Longevity: It contributes to a longer life, giving us more time to pursue our goals and spend time with loved ones.
• Financial Well-being: Staying healthy reduces medical expenses and the economic burden of illness.
• Emotional Well-being: Physical health is closely linked to mental well-being, impacting our mood, stress levels, and overall happiness.
• Preventive Care: Maintaining health through regular check-ups can detect and address potential issues before they become severe.
• Community and Societal Impact: Healthy individuals contribute to stronger communities and societies, reducing the strain on healthcare systems and promoting collective well-being.

Must Read: Essay On Human Rights

Sample Essay On Health in 150 Words

Maintaining good health is dependent on a lot of factors. Those factors range from the air you breathe to the type of people you choose to spend your time with. Health has a lot of components which carry equal importance. If even one of them is missing, a person cannot be completely healthy.Health is our most valuable asset. It encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being, shaping our lives profoundly. A healthy lifestyle, characterized by a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, is essential. It not only prevents diseases but also boosts energy and productivity.

Mental health is equally vital, requiring stress management and emotional support. Regular check-ups aid in early disease detection, increasing the chances of successful treatment. Good health influences longevity and quality of life, allowing us to pursue dreams and cherish moments with loved ones. It also eases the financial burden associated with illness. Ultimately, health is the foundation of a joyful, fulfilling existence, and its importance cannot be overstated.

Sample Essay On Health in 300 Words

Health is undeniably one of the most precious aspects of life. It encompasses not only the absence of diseases but also the presence of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In this essay, we will explore the multifaceted importance of health in our lives.

Firstly, physical health is the cornerstone of our existence. It allows us to carry out daily activities, pursue our passions, and engage with the world. Maintaining good physical health involves a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients, regular exercise to keep our bodies fit, and sufficient rest to recuperate. A healthy lifestyle not only prevents various ailments but also increases our vitality and longevity.

There is this stigma that surrounds mental health. People should take mental illnesses seriously. In order to be completely fit, one must also be mentally fit. When people completely discredit mental illnesses, it makes a negative impact. Hence, we should treat mental health the same as physical health.

Mental health is equally crucial. It involves managing stress, maintaining emotional stability, and seeking support when needed. Neglecting mental health can lead to conditions like anxiety and depression, which can have a profound impact on the quality of life.

Moreover, health plays a pivotal role in determining our overall happiness and well-being. When we are in good health, we have the energy and enthusiasm to enjoy life to the fullest. It enhances our productivity at work or in our daily chores, leading to a sense of accomplishment.

Furthermore, health is closely linked to financial stability. Medical expenses associated with illness can be overwhelming. Maintaining good health through preventive measures and regular check-ups can save us from substantial healthcare costs.

In conclusion, health is not merely the absence of illness; it is the presence of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

Related Reads:

Good health enables a fulfilling life, impacting longevity, happiness, and productivity.

Health encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being, signifying a state of overall vitality.

Health is evident in energy levels, a balanced mind, regular check-ups, and the ability to engage in daily activities with ease.

This brings us to the end of our blog on Essay on Health. Hope you find this information useful. For more information on such informative topics for your school, visit our essay writing and follow Leverage Edu.

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Importance of Good Health in Succeeding as a Student

From your very childhood, you must’ve heard statements, like “Health is wealth” , “ Fashions come and go, but good health is a treasure to keep ”, " Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live in ", etc. You must have heard such statements so many times that you may even feel exhausted from hearing them. But let us tell you that all of them are completely true and they all make a lot of sense. The importance of good health is something that requires no explanation or justification, but still, let us clarify your doubts. In this article, we are going to shed light on the importance of good health for students. We are going to talk about the role good health plays in helping students succeed in their lives. 

Also Read |  Importance of Life Skills in Preparing for a Better Future

Good health not only plays a crucial role in the life of a grown-up professional or adult, in general, but it’s highly significant in the lives of students as well. It’s even the students who need good health the most as their whole academic life and future depend upon their health. In a journal titled Health and Academic Achievement , Blandina Bernal-Morales highlights: 

“There is a statistically significant relationship between health and academic achievement. Research evidence shows that children who are healthy are at a lower risk for school problems than students who are unhealthy. Students with good health tend to perform better in school than those with poor health. Problems that emanate from poor health include a higher probability of school failure, poor levels of concentration, grade retention and dropout.”

Importance of Good Health in the Life of a Student 

The importance of good health in a student’s life is quite crucial, and there are numerous ways in which good health benefits the life of a student. The following  are the 3 main benefits of good health: 

• Better concentration: One of the benefits that very well explains the importance of good health for students is that good physical and mental health enables one to concentrate better. When a student is physically fit and mentally free of all the stress and worries, then they can devote more time to their studies and can make the best out of their studies. Research has shown that students are able to learn (concentrate) better when they’re well nourished, and eating healthy meals has been linked to better memory and alertness, and faster information processing. COVID-19 and its impact on health systems and society were estimated to have killed 14.9 million people between 2020 and 2021 At the end of 2021, 92% of the 129 countries examined experienced interruptions in essential health services . In high-income countries, more than 80% of people had received at least one dose of a vaccination as of May 2022, but just approximately 17% in low-income countries.
• More Focus and Improved Learning: One can’t focus on anything if one’s having any pain in one’s body. Students having good health can focus more on their tasks and learnings and can learn better. According to HNHU , “Students do better in school when they are emotionally and physically healthy. They miss fewer classes, are less likely to engage in risky or antisocial behavior, concentrate more, and achieve higher test scores.”
• When you’re Healthy, you feel Confident: It isn’t an understatement that a healthy person is always a confident person. Those who are physically unfit or obese generally stay too conscious about their looks that they start losing confidence and think quite low of themselves. Studies have revealed that a healthy lifestyle makes one feel confident and exercising releases hormones in one’s brain that enhance one’s mood and provide one with a sense of euphoria. 

How can Schools Help and Guide Students in Maintaining Good Health? 

Health education for students has emerged as an important topic of concern. When we talk about health, it undoubtedly covers all aspects of health, like physical, emotional, psychological, and so on. But the students today aren’t provided with enough resources to ensure good health in all aspects. In 2020, 7 million children missed vaccines, 3.7 million more than in 2019 and the highest level since 2005. As we’ve already talked about the importance of good health for students, we believe that schools should take an active part in helping the students out in maintaining good health; they should instill in the minds of all their students the need and importance of good health. 

Listed below are some of the ways in which schools can act to help and guide the students about the importance of good health and ways of maintaining it: 

• Awareness and knowledge are key: The schools should organise open talks on the importance of good health every month. They should talk about health and well-being topics, like healthy eating, the importance of exercising, the benefits of yoga, meditation and healing, etc. 
• Giving time and space to work on good health: As the students spend a lot of their time in school, the schools should give the students some time and space to work on themselves – on their health. They should organise regular game periods, outdoor activities, etc. to encourage students to stay fit and healthy. 
• A check on their meals: Schools should keep a check on the meals the students are having. Keeping a check on the meals is nowadays becoming a popular initiative to highlight the importance of good health among students. To avoid students from having junk food, schools can start incentivising the ones who only bring healthy lunch to school and finish it. 
• Individual counselling sessions: Being a student can be tough. There are a lot of pressures that students have to deal with, which often take a toll on their mental health. To help the students tackle such pressures, and other mental health issues, like, stress, anxiety and depression, schools should conduct individual counselling sessions to counsel students. In those sessions, the counsellor should provide a secure space to the students and should become their trusted listener. 
• Promotion of preventive healthcare: Preventive healthcare systems are one effective tool that schools can adopt to focus on the good health of students. Under preventive healthcare, schools can conduct periodic screening and vaccination sessions to identify and prevent health issues among students. 

Check Out:  The Beginner's Guide to Gentle Parenting

Why trust Walnut?

Explore Walnut

Walnut is India's first social health platform, or virtual health club, with a mix of verified doctors, organic users, a social media feed, posts, health communities, and health content. The Walnut Health Program has been utilising nationally renowned expertise to assist executives, business owners, and entrepreneurs in maintaining good health. Moreover, it is a platform that connects people to discuss among themselves, engage with health experts, follow and get health updates from their friends and family, and collaboratively work towards a healthy lifestyle. Walnut focuses on preventive healthcare and community-based healthcare because the belief is that this is the only way to effectively address the health issues that we are concerned about. The primary focus areas are mental health and fitness, as well as a chronic illness.

Walnut is establishing communities led by health professionals and influencers who recognise the value of health and well-being by setting a good example by influencing and motivating the members to work on improving their health. To the best of their ability, they are disseminating health tips and information.

At Walnut,  Communities are an excellent way to create an online social presence that will keep you motivated to work on your health issues on a consistent basis. The app currently includes a personal feed where users can connect with their close circle of friends and family members and share daily health updates to keep people engaged and updated who care about you and motivate you. The communities have a fairly informative feed, and the content is far more engaging and useful for the audience. And will also be introducing polls and Q&A in the near future so that the application users can interact with one another, which will keep them informed, up-to-date, motivated, and moving in the right direction towards a healthy lifestyle.

We believe that good health is essential for happiness and that everyone has the right to holistic well-being. Walnut strives to put health-related information at your fingertips. You only need to take a leap of faith!

Essay on Health Awareness

Students are often asked to write an essay on Health Awareness in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Health Awareness

Understanding health awareness.

Health awareness is about knowing and understanding health issues. It’s like learning about different diseases, their causes, and how to avoid them. Health awareness helps us make better choices for a healthier life.

Importance of Health Awareness

Health awareness is important because it can save lives. It helps us know what’s good and bad for our health. With this knowledge, we can avoid harmful habits like smoking and eating junk food, and adopt healthy habits like exercising and eating balanced meals.

Health Awareness and Disease Prevention

Health awareness helps in preventing diseases. It tells us about vaccines and regular check-ups that help catch diseases early. Also, it teaches us about hygiene practices like washing hands to prevent disease spread.

Role of Schools in Health Awareness

Schools play a big role in health awareness. They teach students about nutrition, physical education, and hygiene. Schools also organize health camps and invite doctors to talk about different health topics.

Health awareness is a key to a healthy life. It helps us make wise choices, prevent diseases, and lead a happy, healthy life. So, let’s all be aware and spread health awareness for a healthier community.

Also check:

• Speech on Health Awareness

250 Words Essay on Health Awareness

What is health awareness.

Health awareness is about knowing and understanding health issues. It helps us make the right choices for our health. It is about learning how to stay fit, eat right, and take care of our bodies.

Why is Health Awareness Important?

Being aware of health is important for many reasons. It helps us live longer and better lives. When we know about health issues, we can prevent them. For example, knowing that smoking is bad for our lungs can stop us from starting to smoke.

How Can We Improve Health Awareness?

There are many ways to improve health awareness. We can read books, watch videos, or talk to doctors. Schools can also help by teaching students about health. Parents can set a good example by eating healthy food and exercising regularly.

Role of Media in Health Awareness

Media plays a big role in health awareness. TV shows, news, and social media can spread information about health. They can tell us about new research or health risks. But, we must be careful to check if the information is correct. Not all information on the internet is true.

In conclusion, health awareness is very important. It helps us make good choices for our health. We can improve health awareness by learning and sharing information. Let’s all try to be more aware of our health.

500 Words Essay on Health Awareness

Health awareness is knowing about the state of your body, how to keep it healthy, and what can harm it. It is like a guide to help you live a healthy life. It tells you about good habits like eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep. It also warns you about bad things like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or not getting enough exercise.

Health awareness is very important for everyone. It helps you stay healthy and avoid diseases. If you are aware of your health, you can take steps to prevent illness. For example, if you know that eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes, you can choose to eat less sugar. This can help you avoid getting diabetes in the future.

Health awareness also helps you know what to do if you get sick. If you are aware of the symptoms of a disease, you can recognize them early and get treatment. This can help you recover faster and prevent the disease from getting worse.

Ways to Increase Health Awareness

There are many ways to increase health awareness. One way is to learn about health from reliable sources. You can read books, watch videos, or talk to health professionals like doctors and nurses. You can also learn about health in school or at health awareness events.

Another way to increase health awareness is to practice healthy habits. This means eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol. By doing these things, you can improve your health and learn more about how your body works.

Schools play a big role in health awareness. They teach students about health in science and physical education classes. They also provide healthy meals and opportunities for physical activity. Some schools even have health clinics where students can get check-ups and treatment.

Schools also organize health awareness events. These events can include health fairs, where students can learn about different health topics and get free health screenings. They can also include campaigns to promote healthy habits, like eating fruits and vegetables or walking to school.

In conclusion, health awareness is very important. It helps us stay healthy and avoid diseases. We can increase our health awareness by learning about health and practicing healthy habits. Schools play a big role in health awareness by teaching students about health and organizing health awareness events. By being aware of our health, we can live healthier, happier lives.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Health Promotion On Diabetes
• Essay on Health Promotion On Alcohol
• Essay on Healthcare Affordability

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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English Compositions

Short Essay on Health [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

In today’s lesson, I will discuss how you can write short essays on Health within different word limits. All the essays will be written here with a simplistic approach for a better understanding of all students. 

Short Essay on Health in 100 Words

Health is an important aspect of one’s life. A person is considered healthy when he or she is free from illness or injury. Health can be categorised as physical health, mental health, emotional health, social health, et cetera. However, all these categories are interrelated.

While low physical activity can impact overall mental health, mental stress can adversely affect heart health and poor emotional health can deteriorate one’s quality of life. Being in good health enables a person to function optimally and live their life happily.

Some of the basic rules for maintaining good health include going to bed and waking up on time, exercising regularly, eating healthily and drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. 

Short Essay on Health in 200 Words

Health is one of the most important aspects of one’s life. One can be a billionaire but if he is not in good health, he can not enjoy the luxuries that money can buy. Thus, health is considered as the real wealth. Health can be categorised as physical health, mental health, emotional health, social health, et cetera.

However, all these categories are interrelated and impact each other. For example, not exercising regularly can make a person irritable and cause mental health problems, while chronic stress can lead to health diseases and diabetes. Poor emotional and psychological health can also make people withdrawn and impact their overall health. 

Being in good health enables a person to function optimally and live their life happily. When one feels healthy and is not troubled by pain or discomfort in the body, he can be more active, participate in various activities and be more present in the daily happenings. Being mentally in good health is also very important as suffering from anxiety, depression and other issues can severely deteriorate one’s quality of life.

One can easily improve his health by making some changes in his lifestyle. Some of the basic rules for maintaining good health include going to bed and waking up on time, exercising regularly, eating healthily and drinking a lot of water. 

Short Essay on Health in 400 Words

Health is a key aspect of one’s life. A person is considered healthy when he is free from all illness and injury and can conduct his life well. One can be a billionaire but if he is not in good health, he can not enjoy the luxuries that money can buy. Thus, health is considered as the real wealth and being in good health is very important. Health can be categorised as physical health, mental health, emotional health, social health, et cetera.

Everyone can be healthy but good health does not come without the necessary discipline and care. Going to bed and waking up on time, exercising regularly, avoiding junk food, eating healthily, drinking a lot of water and getting some sunlight are a few good habits that can improve one’s health. However, it cannot be achieved in a day. One needs to change their lifestyle and practice healthy habits daily. 

Sometimes, one’s external environment can also be the reason for their poor health. Living in shabby conditions, breathing in heavily polluted air, consuming unhygienic food and contaminated water can more often than not, result in bacterial, fungal and viral diseases. Hence, cleanliness is an important factor if one wants to be healthy. One should also take care of their diet and include greens and other nutritious food, limit their caffeine intake, stop smoking and drinking as well as follow the basic health protocols. 

Good health is necessary if one wants to achieve their goal in life. One cannot study well or work hard when they are not feeling at ease or are suffering from pain. Adopting a healthy lifestyle makes us healthy and boosts our energy as well as immunity. Thus, good health is the key to enjoying a good life. 

In this session above, I have mentioned everything that could be necessary to write short essays on Health. Through the simple words and sentences, I hope now you have understood the entire context. If you still have any doubts regarding this session, kindly let me know through some quick comments. If you want to read more such essays on various important topics, keep browsing our website. 

Join our Telegram channel to get the latest updates on our upcoming sessions. Thank you. 

Health and Education: the Importance of Health Education

This essay about the interplay between health and education discusses how health education acts as a vital component in human development. It highlights the role of health education in empowering individuals and communities to make informed health choices, emphasizing its impact on both physical and mental well-being. The essay also explores how health education can inspire societal change through advocacy and community engagement, ultimately aiming for a healthier, more equitable world.

How it works

In the intricate choreography of well-being and enlightenment, the synergy between health and education intertwines, each harmonizing with the other to orchestrate a symphony of human development. Within this dynamic interplay lies the essence of health education—a guiding beacon steering individuals and societies towards a luminous, healthier future.

In the vivid mosaic of health education, myriad shades emerge, creating a canvas of empowerment, prevention, and advocacy. At its nucleus, health education serves as a compass navigating individuals through the labyrinth of wellness, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to make enlightened decisions about their health.

Picture a community where health education reigns supreme, its influence permeating every nook and cranny, from bustling urban hubs to secluded rural hamlets. Here, awareness blossoms like a kaleidoscope of flowers in springtime, as individuals embrace preventive measures and cultivate healthy habits as innate as breathing.

Contemplate the ripple effect of health education on disease prevention—a cascade of awareness that shatters the shackles of illness and suffering. Through targeted campaigns and grassroots endeavors, communities arm themselves with the shield of information, thwarting infectious diseases and chronic ailments alike.

However, the tapestry of health education extends beyond physical well-being alone; its brushstrokes delve into the realm of mental health, dispelling the shadows of stigma and ignorance. Within these strokes lies the promise of destigmatization, fostering open dialogues and fostering empathetic understanding that nurture resilient minds and compassionate hearts.

In the realm of education, health education assumes center stage, infusing curricula with the essence of well-being and self-care. Here, students embark on a voyage of self-discovery, learning not only academic subjects but also the art of resilience, the science of nutrition, and the importance of seeking support when necessary.

Yet, health education transcends the confines of textbooks; it is a philosophy that permeates every facet of life, shaping attitudes and behaviors towards a healthier, more equitable society. Through community engagement and policy advocacy, health educators become catalysts for change, spearheading initiatives that dismantle barriers to wellness and champion health equity for all.

In the grand tapestry of global health, health education emerges as a guiding light in times of crisis. Amidst the tumult of pandemics and emergencies, it stands firm, disseminating accurate information, dispelling misinformation, and galvanizing communities into action.

Ultimately, the significance of health education transcends borders, weaving a common thread that binds us all in our shared pursuit of well-being. As we navigate the vast expanse of human existence, let us remember that the odyssey to health and enlightenment commences with a single step—a step guided by the beacon of knowledge and fueled by the passion to cultivate a healthier, happier world for generations to come.

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• Open access
• Published: 09 July 2022

Health-promoting factors among students in higher education within health care and social work: a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data in a multicentre longitudinal study

• Inger Ahlstrand   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3152-8353 1   na1 ,
• Ingrid Larsson   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4341-660X 2   na1 ,
• Margaretha Larsson   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7368-953X 3   na1 ,
• Aimée Ekman   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3801-0541 4 ,
• Lena Hedén   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7067-2687 5 ,
• Katja Laakso 6 ,
• Ulrika Lindmark   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2786-707X 7 , 8 ,
• Håkan Nunstedt   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5219-6031 9 ,
• Lena Oxelmark   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8397-7252 6 ,
• Sandra Pennbrant   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2793-9937 9 ,
• Annelie J. Sundler   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9194-3244 5 &
• Jenny Hallgren   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1819-0896 3   na1  

BMC Public Health volume  22 , Article number:  1314 ( 2022 ) Cite this article

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5 Citations

Metrics details

Educational environments are considered important in strengthening students’ health status and knowledge, which are associated with good educational outcomes. It has been suggested to establish healthy universities based on a salutogenic approach – namely, health promotion. The aim of this study was to describe health-promoting resources and factors among first-semester students in higher education in healthcare and social work.

This cross-sectional study is based on a survey distributed among all students in seven healthcare and social work programmes at six universities in southern Sweden. The survey was carried out in 2018 using a self-reported, web-based questionnaire focussing on general health and well-being, lifestyle factors together with three validated instruments measuring health-promoting factors and processes: the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale, Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) and Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ).

Of 2283 students, 851 (37.3%) completed the survey, of whom 742 (87.1%) were women; 722 (84.8%) were enrolled on healthcare programmes, and 129 (15.2%) were enrolled on social work programmes. Most reported good general health and well-being (88.1% and 83.7%, respectively). The total mean scores for the SOC scale, SHIS and OBQ were, respectively, 59.09 ( SD  = 11.78), 44.04 ( SD  = 9.38) and 26.40 ( SD  = 7.07). Well-being and several healthy lifestyles were related to better general health and higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. Multiple linear and logistic regressions showed that perceived well-being and no sleeping problems significantly predicted higher general health and higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. Being less sedentary and non-smoking habits were significant predictors of higher SOC.

Conclusions

Swedish students in higher education within the healthcare and social work sector report good general health and well-being in the first semester, as well as health-promoting resources (i.e. SOC, SHIS and OBQ), and in some aspects, a healthy lifestyle. High-intensity exercise, no sleeping problems and non-smoking seem to be of importance to both general health and health-promotive resources. This study contributes to knowledge about the health promotive characteristics of students in the healthcare and social work fields, which is of importance for planning universities with a salutogenic approach.

Peer Review reports

Health-promoting factors are of great importance during education and in preparing for future work and professional roles [ 1 ]. A healthy work-life is considered important, and health promotion is required for health service providers to ensure a sustainable working life. Nevertheless, more knowledge is needed about the relationship between education and health and factors that may be important for future working-life balance among individuals [ 2 ].

Health promotion is described as comprising processes that can support people to manage and improve their health [ 3 ], with the result that they choose healthy behaviours. Globally, related research has largely focused on students’ health behaviours, including in Southern Europe [ 4 ], Asia [ 5 ], Australia [ 6 ] and the United States [ 7 ]. Published studies have shown that factors that including household income [ 8 ] and lifestyle factors, such as dietary patterns [ 9 ], physical activity, strength training [ 10 ] and sleep [ 11 ], can be associated with students’ health and academic performance. Other studies have illustrated that students enrolled on higher education programmes can suffer from various physical problems, such as neck, shoulder and/or back pain [ 12 ], and daytime sleepiness and sleep debt, which can put them at risk for mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety [ 13 ]. Based on this, health-promoting strategies, such as physical activity, are recommended by the World Health Organization [ 14 ]. Another positive association that promotes health has been found between enrolment on health-related university courses and students’ health promotion competencies [ 15 , 16 ]. Thus, strengthening students’ health literacy can be a way to support their health-promoting resources. A study that included an intervention using didactical approaches (e.g. peer mentoring) and team teaching among students enrolled on bachelor-level health and social work programmes reported that students in the intervention group showed significant effects on self- and social competencies compared with controls [ 17 ].

This study is grounded in the theoretical framework of salutogenesis [ 18 ], which is the theory behind health-promotion that aiming to promote health as opposed to targeting factors that cause disease [ 19 ]. Essential to salutogenic theory is an understanding of health as a process that exists along a continuum namely, the health/disease continuum. The most important concept in the theory is the Sense of Coherence (SOC) with the three dimensions, comprehensibility, meaningfulness and manageability. These dimensions represent a combination of people’s ability to assess and understand the situation they are in and to find meaning, move in a health-promotional direction and manage the situation [ 19 , 20 ]. A study has shown a strong relationship between SOC and health and well-being [ 19 ]. Influenced by salutogenic theory, health has also been described by Bringsén et al. (2009, p. 4) as a positive subjective experience of oneself as a whole, which is why a holistic description of health, including an individuals’ cognitive, physical and psychosomatic health, which is important to consider in health promotion research [ 21 ]. Among students in higher education, SOC has only been studied sparsely in relation to health promotion factors; however, studies on this topic from Asia have indicated that a lower level of perceived stress, and higher levels of healthy behaviours and integration at university, are related to a strong SOC [ 22 , 23 ]. Balance in life is an important health-promoting factor [ 24 ]. Research has shown that occupational balance has an impact on health professionals [ 25 ] and could also be an important promotive factor for students within the healthcare and social work fields.

Recently, it has been emphasised that there is a need to focus on health promotion approaches to strengthen positive aspects [ 19 ], not least for students on higher education programmes [ 26 , 27 ]. The integration of a health promotion approach in health education curricula is important [ 28 ]. It is necessary to identify health-promoting factors [ 29 ] and to find appropriate interventions among students during their education [ 30 ]. Therefore, improving students’ health and health status are important to achieving good educational outcomes [ 31 ]. However, more knowledge is needed to understand how a salutogenic approach can create good conditions for developing students’ abilities and resources to feel well during their studies, thus making them better prepared for future sustainable working life. Knowledge of the working environment from a salutogenic perspective is not fully understood in healthcare and social work programmes, which is why there is a need for studies to address this gap. Knowledge and awareness of health-promoting behaviour while at university can improve students’ ability to deal with stress and negative load in connection with professional preparation. This is important knowledge that can form the basis for understanding the transition into and the establishment of the professional role. Therefore, this study presents baseline data from a longitudinal multicentre study focusing on health-promoting resources and factors for sustainable studies on higher education programmes and, by extension, a sustainable working life. The aim was to describe health, health-promoting resources and lifestyle factors as reported by first-year bachelor students in healthcare and social work programmes. In addition, we studied how health, health-promoting resources and lifestyle factors were associated.

Methods and design

This is a cross-sectional study using baseline data from a multicentre longitudinal study involving Swedish students enrolled on higher education programmes in the healthcare and social work fields [ 32 ]. Public health issues are addressed by both healthcare and social work, albeit in different ways. Whereas the former focuses more directly on individuals and their health status, the latter deals primarily with social change and development for individuals, families, and groups, with the aim of achieving enhanced well-being and health [ 33 ]. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines have been followed to strengthen the trustworthiness of the study [ 34 ].

Setting and participants

The study was conducted within the Swedish framework for ‘Health Research in Collaboration’, involving six universities in southern Sweden. The qualifications sought in the included higher educational programmes were; biomedical laboratory scientist, diagnostic radiology nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, registered dental hygienist, registered nurse and social worker. All students, who started their higher education in one of these programmes at the six universities in 2018, were eligible and invited to participate in the study. The only exclusion criterion was students not speaking/reading Swedish.

Data collection

Data were collected via a survey distributed to all eligible students in the selected programmes and universities during either the spring and autumn of 2018. The survey was performed using a self-reported, web-based questionnaire (esMaker NX3 software), including questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics and questionnaires covering salutogenic factors, the individual’s health, personal resources and health behaviour. The survey was sent out in the middle of the first semester, and three reminders were sent after that point [ 32 ].

Measurements

At baseline, a web-based questionnaire was used that included questions related to background that is, the students’ characteristics. It included questions about demographic characteristics, reason for choosing the education programme, general health and well-being; and health-promoting resources as measured by the SOC scale [ 18 ], the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) [ 21 ] and the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ) [ 35 ]. Questions related to healthy lifestyles were based on the Swedish Public Health Survey [ 36 ].

Background data

Questions covering demographics were used to elicit information on participants’ sex, age, ethnicity, family situation and residential area. Reasons for choosing the education programme (13 questions) were used to further describe the students’ characteristics to understand their intentions and motivations in applying for the specific higher education programme and establishing themselves in the profession.

• Health and health-promoting resources

General health and perceived well-being were measured as one overall single question and dichotomised as excellent/very good/good (1) or less good/bad (0).

The Sense of Coherence (SOC) was measured using the 13-item SOC scale [ 18 ], examining the individual’s health-promoting resources. The SOC scale’s items relate to comprehensibility (five items), manageability (four items) and meaningfulness (four items), and a 7-point semantic scale is used to respond to each item. The total score ranges from 13 to 91, and a high score indicates a strong SOC. The scale has been translated into Swedish [ 37 ]. It has good psychometric properties and high validity and reliability, and it has been found to be a good indicator of health [ 38 ].

The questionnaire included an abbreviated version of the SHIS (12-item) [ 21 ]. SHIS is associated with salutogenic and holistic descriptions of health, including cognitive, physical and psychosomatic health. This scale examines intrapersonal characteristics and interactive functions on a 6-point scale, ranging from negative (scored at 1) to positive (scored at 6). The missing item on the SHIS scale was about ‘having energy’. This item was not included in the questionnaire by mistake. The total score ranges from 11 to 66, and a high score indicates better health. The SHIS’s validity has been shown to be high [ 21 ].

The OBQ [ 35 ] measures occupational balance and focuses on satisfaction with the amount and variation of occupations. It comprises 11 items with a 4-point ordinal scale ranging from ‘completely disagree’ (scored at 0) to ‘completely agree’ (scored at 3). High scores reflect high levels of experienced occupational balance. The OBQ was developed in Sweden and has good content validity, good internal consistency and sufficient test–retest reliability [ 24 , 35 ].

• Healthy lifestyles

The Swedish Public Health Survey [ 36 ] is a national survey conducted every other year that aims to investigate public health. It includes questions related to physical and mental health, drug consumption and lifestyle, among other topics. Eight questions were drawn from the Swedish Public Health Survey that assess healthy lifestyles; high-intensity exercise (dichotomised as yes > 60–90 min/week (1), no < 30–60 min/week (0)), moderate-intensity physical activity i.e. everyday physical activities, (dichotomised as yes > 150 min/week (1), no < 150 min/week (0)), sedentary (more than 10 h (1), no (0)), sleeping problems (yes (1), no (0)), daily intake of vegetables (yes (1), less frequency than daily intake (0)), consumption of alcohol (yes (1), < once per month/no (0)), smoking (yes (1), seldom/no (0)) and daily snuff (oral tobacco) (yes (1), seldom/no (0)).

Outcome variables

The outcome variables in this study were general health, SOC, SHIS and OBQ.

Data analysis

Descriptive analysis was used to describe the background characteristics and reasons for choosing the selected programme. The χ 2 test, t -test, Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used to describe health-promoting resources and differences in general health, healthy lifestyles (perceived well-being, physical exercise, everyday physical activities, being sedentary more than 10 h per day, sleeping problems, intake of vegetables, consumption of alcohol, smoking, daily snuff intake) in terms of general health, SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores, respectively. The Shapiro–Wilk statistic was used to test normality. If the distributions were not normal or ordinal, the Mann–Whitney U-test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used. Factors that were significantly associated with general health, SOC, SHIS and OBQ from the χ 2 test, t -test and Mann–Whitney U test, were included in a multiple logistic regression (general health) and a multiple linear regression analysis (SOC, SHIS and OBQ). A p -value < 0.05 was considered significant. All data were analysed using SPSS Statistics 27.

Students’ characteristics

A total of 2283 students were invited to participate in the study, of whom 851 (37%) completed the baseline survey. The participants were all students in programmes in healthcare and social work fields, studying for a qualification as one of the following professions: biomedical laboratory scientists ( n  = 51), diagnostic radiology nurses ( n  = 26), occupational therapists ( n  = 58), physiotherapists ( n  = 24), registered dental hygienists ( n  = 27), registered nurses ( n  = 536) and social workers ( n  = 129).

Among the 851 included students in higher education programmes in the healthcare and social work sectors, 742 (87.1%) were women and 106 (12.9%) were men. The respondents had a mean age of 28 and a range of 21–61 years. A total of 137 (16.2%) of the students were foreign-born, and 255 (30.0%) reported that one or both of their parents were foreign-born. Living in a rural area was reported by 109 (12.7%) of respondents, and 148 (17.4%) of the students were living alone (Table 1 ).

Reason for choosing the programme

The most common reasons (87.0%–92.8%) for choosing the selected programme and career were employment security, working with people, helping people, a broad education, opportunities to follow various career paths, varying tasks, intellectually stimulating, getting a permanent job and use of knowledge from the programme. Teamwork and closeness to a university were the least common reasons (61.8%–64.0%). There were some differences between the reasons for choosing the programme (Table 2 ).

Overall, 751 (88.1%) of the students reported good general health and 713 (83.7%) reported good general well-being (Table 1 ). The mean total SOC score was 59.09 ( SD  = 11.78), and the means for the subscales were as follows: Comprehensibility, 20.69 ( SD  = 5.39); Meaningfulness, 20.62 ( SD  = 4.10); and Manageability, 17.82 ( SD  = 4.37). The total mean SHIS score was 44.04 ( SD  = 9.38). There were significant differences between women and men in all health-promoting resources reported, besides concerning OBQ and the total SOC score. Categorised into the three SOC dimensions, men had statistically significantly higher Comprehensibility (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37, 2.57; p  = 0.09) and Manageability scores (95% CI: 0.51, 2.30; p  = 0.02) than women did, but women reported higher Meaningfulness scores (95% CI: − 1.76, − 0.10; p  = 0.03). There were no statistically significant differences between students in different educational programmes for the OBQ or the total SOC score. However, there were significant differences in regard to the SHIS, where occupational therapy students had a statistically significantly higher SHIS score (60.8; SD  = 11.0) compared with all other student groups. Table 3 shows more details and health-promoting resources for each educational programme.

In the total group, 726 (85.3%) of respondents were non-smokers and 738 (86.7%) were not daily snuff users; 491 (57.6%) reported low alcohol consumption (never or once a month) consumption and 584 (60.0%) had a daily intake of vegetables. High-intensity exercise for more than 60 min/week and moderate-intensity physical activity for more than 150 min/week were performed by 423 (47.5%) and 291 (32.7%) of respondents, respectively, whereas 230 (25.8%) were sedentary for more than 10 h per day. Moreover, 508 (59.7%) reported no sleeping problems. The students’ healthy lifestyles in total and in each educational programme are presented in Table 1 .

Associations between health-promoting resources and lifestyle factors

The participants reporting better general health had better perceived well-being, ( p  < 0.001), performed high-intensity exercise ( p  < 0.001), were less sedentary ( p  = 0.031), had no sleeping problems ( p  < 0.001), consumed vegetables daily ( p  < 0.001), had low or no consumption of alcohol ( p  = 0.009) and were non-smokers ( p  = 0.005). Significantly higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ were seen among participants who had better general health ( p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001), perceived well-being ( p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001), no sleeping problems ( p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001, p  < 0.001), and low or no consumption of alcohol ( p  = 0.032, p  < 0.001, p  = 0.002). Being less sedentary and having a daily intake of vegetables were associated with higher SOC ( p  < 0.001), p  < 0.001) and SHIS ( p  < 0.001, p  = 0.003). Regarding exercise and physical activity, high-intensity exercise was associated with higher SHIS ( p  = 0.003) and OBQ ( p  < 0.001), whereas moderate-intensity physical activity was associated with higher SOC. However, the use of daily snuff was not significantly associated with general health ( p  = 0.164) or higher SOC ( p  = 0.429), SHIS ( p  = 0.577) or OBQ ( p  = 0.206) (Table 4 ).

When significantly associated factors were entered, based on the univariate analyses in multiple linear regressions, perceived well-being and no sleeping problems were significant predictors of better general health and higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. In addition, performing high-intensity exercise predicted better general health; in turn, better general health predicted higher SHIS scores. Being less sedentary and non-smokers were significant predictors of higher SOC (Tables 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ).

This study describes the associations between general health, perceived well-being, health-promoting resources measured by the SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores and healthy lifestyles, comparing results from students in several higher education programmes. The main results showed that of the first-year students in higher education within health care and social work, most seemed to report good general health and well-being, and possessed health-promoting resources and a health-promoting lifestyle. Better general health was also associated with better perceived well-being, high-intensity exercise, no sleeping problems and not smoking. Associations related to health-promoting resources showed that healthy values in terms of SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores were associated with better perceived well-being. To report higher SOC were related to moderate-intensity physical activity and better OBQ was related to high-intensity exercise. All three health resources were related to a lack of sleeping problems. These results support the importance of maintaining sustainable health-promoting strategies during higher education, as has been described in previous research [ 17 , 26 ].

In the results, most students reported good general health and good general well-being. This is consistent with previous research among nursing students [ 39 ]; however, previous studies have also found that general health and well-being decline during the 3-year bachelor programme [ 40 ]. Examples of health-promoting strategies that higher education can implement to maintain good general health and general well-being and create more incentives for a health-promoting perspective include integrating knowledge of sustainable working life into the programme through the courses’ content and pedagogical structure. This can be done during clinical placement and via reality-based cases where students train and learn to manage different scenarios, and reflect on their performance in these scenarios with the support of various reflection models. As another example, the students can develop a portfolio, in which they can track their progress during their programme and perform tasks with a focus on promoting a sustainable working life. Furthermore, health-promotion strategies may involve recruiting experienced students as Supplementary Instructors to support other students in their studies.

In this study, health-promoting resources were measured by the SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. In earlier studies, SOC has been found to be strongly related to health [ 41 ], and it has been suggested that the SHIS and OBQ are reliable salutogenic health measurement instruments [ 21 , 35 ]. The mean SOC score was 59.09 in the current study, which is somewhat lower than that reported in a previous study based on a general Swedish population aged 20 and 30 (63.3 and 70.0, respectively) [ 42 ]. The differences may be related to the different contexts that are, aspects related to the student situation and health. A health-promoting strategy could involve finding interventions to strengthen the salutogenic dimensions included in these three resources. Another health-promoting strategy could involve adding health-promoting lifestyles to the schedule of some programmes. Given that the Student Health Centres have knowledge of the students’ well-being, in cooperation with the student union, they could work proactively to prevent health problems and strengthen the study environment.

In the current study, one-third of the participants met the recommendations of physical activity of at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, and nearly half of the participants engaged in at least 60–90 min of high-intensity exercise per week. This is in line with the general population in Sweden [ 43 ]. Previous research has stated that higher education students’ health-related lifestyle give cause for concern and suggests that universities need to focus on health-promotion work among students [ 44 ]. However, it is lower than previous research among nursing students, in which three-quarters met the recommendations for physical activity in their first year of higher education [ 39 ] although this rate declined during the 3-year bachelor programme [ 40 ]. Based on research from other industrialised countries, around two-thirds met the recommendations for physical activity of 150 min of moderate activity per week, in Australia and Spain [ 6 , 45 ], whereas only one-third did so in England, Greece and the United States [ 4 , 7 , 44 ]. The differences between countries in terms of students’ physical activity may be due to variation in social, socio-economic and cultural factors. They may also be due to a phenomenon reported in Gibson et al.’s (2016) study, where students experience a major change at the beginning of their university studies; as a result of this change, they have to adjust to a new environment and choose healthy behaviours, including physical activity, based on their own motivation [ 46 ].

In our study, sex was not associated with the level of physical activity, but other research has shown that sex is associated with physical activity, with women having almost twice the risk of insufficient physical activity compared with men [ 7 , 44 ]. Regarding the difference between men’s and women’s physical activity levels, there may be various reasons for this disparity. For example, given that women usually have the greatest responsibility for the family and household [ 47 ], they may have less time to spend on leisure activities. This can impact their chances of attaining balance in life. The sex difference can also be due to different categorizations and measurement methods, meaning that it may be a result of differences in the way the research studies were conducted.

Most students had no sleeping problems; however, there were variations between the students in the different programmes. Nevertheless, 4 out of 10 students reported sleep problems. This is in contrast to previous research among nursing students, where only 1 in 10 students reported sleep problems during the first year of higher education [ 39 ] although sleep problems did increase during the third year [ 40 ]. Sleep could have an impact on anxiety and depression [ 13 ], and is essential to serve several important physical functions, such as recuperation from infectious diseases and consolidation of memories [ 48 ]. A recent literature review and meta-analysis showed that sleep disruption is high among medical students, and this severely impairs learning ability and affects academic performance [ 49 ]. One potential reason for difficulty sleeping is anxiety and stress about the person’s economic situation. Students usually have limited financial resources during their studies. Another reason may be performance anxiety or that their results fell short of their expectations. The increase in sleep problems at the end of the study period may be due to concerns about not having enough knowledge to cope with the upcoming professional role. Thus, studies aiming to follow up on sleep habits during their studies, and interventions to improve sleep quality for students within healthcare and social work, are recommended.

The results show that the daily intake of vegetables among the students is in line with studies among students in the United States [ 7 ]. Of all students, most were non-smokers and non-daily snuff users; over half the students reported low alcohol consumption. The prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption among the participating students is in line with research from other countries in Europe [ 40 , 44 , 45 ].

Associations between general health, health-promoting resources and lifestyle factors

This study shows an association between self-reported good general health and higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. Self-reported good general health and high SHIS and OBQ scores were associated with better perceived well-being, performing high-intensity exercise and being less sedentary. Being less sedentary and performing moderate-intensity physical activities were also associated with higher SOC scores. This is confirmed by previous research that found associations between perceived health and the degree of physical activity. Being intensively physically active entails a better perceived health-related quality of life [ 50 ].

The current study also shows that having no sleeping problems was significantly associated with self-reported general better health and higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. A national survey in Norway including all higher education students showed that the mean sleep duration on weekdays was just under 7.5 h per night and did not meet the students’ self-reported sleep needs or sleep recommendations; in contrast, on weekends, the mean sleep duration was almost 8.5 h per night. In the last decade, the proportion of higher education students reporting sleep problems has increased, rising from 23% in 2010 to 31% in 2018; moreover, 22% of men and 34% of women met the criteria for insomnia [ 51 ]. Sleep problems are associated with poorer academic skills and results among higher education students [ 52 , 53 ]. Since sleep problems are both prevalent and increasing [ 51 ] and influence academic results [ 52 , 53 , 54 ], sleep interventions can be important in health promotion work to improve health outcomes and overall academic performance among students [ 54 ].

This study shows associations between a daily intake of vegetables and self-reported good general health, combined with higher SOC and SHIS scores. Based on previous research, it appears to be common among students in higher education to have an unbalanced diet; for example, they may skip breakfast regularly or not reach the general vegetable intake recommendations [ 4 , 6 , 44 ]; moreover, they may experience unfavourable and differential changes to their dietary intakes and diet quality during the transition to university life [ 55 ]. Higher education students’ health behaviours seem to be risk factors that need attention, and N Yahia, D Wang, M Rapley and R Dey [ 7 ] argue that students in the United States, especially male students, might benefit from nutritional training programmes that focus on translating theoretical nutritional knowledge into daily-life applications, whereas female students would benefit from reducing the time spent in sedentary activities and being more physically active [ 7 ].

Higher education has an important part of student life. Therefore, higher education institutions must increase their accountability and willingness to design health-promotion interventions in the teaching and learning environment, focusing on multiple lifestyle issues [ 45 ]. Moreover, they should include health promotion in their core values [ 44 ] to prepare the students for future sustainable working life. In this health-promotional work, higher education institutions can implement the portfolio as an educational method; this can increase students’ self-efficacy, as well as forming the basis for self-evaluation and providing tools for lifelong learning [ 56 , 57 ].

An unexpected result in the current study was that most students reported good overall health and good overall well-being, although 4 out of 10 students also reported sleep problems. The cause of this relationship is unknown, and this result needs to be further investigated. Qualitative studies with either focus group interviews or individual in-depth interviews could provide a deeper understanding of the three health resources related to sleep. This cross-sectional study provides ideas for further research into factors that affect students’ health. It would be particularly interesting to follow up on how higher educational institutions can design health-promotion interventions in the teaching and learning environment, with a focus on lifestyle issues.

Strengths and limitations

In aiming to improve the research standard and reduce publication bias, the study protocol for this study was previously peer-reviewed and published [ 32 ], which must be considered a strength. The primary limitation of the cross-sectional study design is that it cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Another limitation of cross-sectional studies is that individuals are not followed up over time; however, this cross-sectional study represents a baseline, with follow-ups for coming longitudinal studies described in the study protocol. This study is also the first step in a data collection series that is, a baseline aiming to follow up students on higher educational programmes in the healthcare and social work fields and the post-graduation period as new professionals. Thus, this study provides an important overview of health, health-promoting resources and lifestyle factors reported by first-year students in higher education within these fields. To the best of our knowledge, there is sparse research that has targeted the healthcare and social work field to predict possible salutogenic factors rather than pathogenic factors. A strength of the current study is that validated instruments developed to catch health-promoting factors have been used. Since all the students were invited to participate, there was no selection bias in this study. Self-report bias can occur when the people who complete the questionnaire are the sort of people who like to complete questionnaires; this can influence and limit the results. However, some limitations must be considered. Power calculation is often a recommendation for calculating statistical analyses and for appropriate generalisation to the population. This study was considered a total population study representing all students at six university programmes in health care and social work. Thus, the results can only be generalised to this population.

Most first-year Swedish students from six universities in higher education within healthcare and social work programmes seem to report good health, as well as important health-promoting resources reflecting high SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores and a healthy lifestyle. High-intensity exercise, no sleeping problems and non-smoking are positively associated with general health and health-promotive resources. Higher education is an important arena for health promotion in multisectoral health improvements, supported by a teaching and learning environment that focuses on lifestyle issues. This study contributes to delineating the characteristics of students in the healthcare and social work sectors.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets and materials used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

• Occupational Balance Questionnaire
• Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale
• Sense of coherence

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Acknowledgements

For their support and encouragement of the study, we would like to thank research coordinator Irène Carlensberg (the University of Gothenburg) and the board of the Swedish framework for ‘Health Research in Collaboration’.

Open access funding provided by Halmstad University. The six universities in the Swedish framework for ‘Health Research in Collaboration’ and Region Västra Götaland jointly financed the cost of project management. All authors receive regular research support from their respective universities. This research project has not received external funding and has not undergone peer review by the funding body.

Author information

Ahlstrand Inger, Larsson Ingrid Larsson Margaretha and Hallgren Jenny contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden

Inger Ahlstrand

School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Box 823, S-30118, Halmstad, Sweden

Ingrid Larsson

School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden

Margaretha Larsson & Jenny Hallgren

Department of Social Work, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden

Aimée Ekman

Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden

Lena Hedén & Annelie J. Sundler

Institute of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Katja Laakso & Lena Oxelmark

Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden

Ulrika Lindmark

Centre for Oral Health, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden

Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden

Håkan Nunstedt & Sandra Pennbrant

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Contributions

All authors made significant contributions to the study design by collaboratively identifying the research questions. IA and UL were responsible for the data collection. The data analysis was done by IA and JH and interpreted by IA, JH, IL and ML. The manuscript was drafted by IA, IL, ML and JH, while all authors provided critical revisions of the paper in terms of important intellectual content. All authors have read and approved the final submitted version.

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Correspondence to Ingrid Larsson .

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The study followed the recommendations in the Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical Association, 2013). Ethical approval was obtained from the Linköping Regional Research Ethics Committee (Dnr 2017/211–31). Personal data were processed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR2016/679). All participants were informed of the purpose of the study, that participation was voluntary, that they could leave the study at any time; and that all data would be handled confidentially. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants in such a way that the information letter attached to the questionnaire stated that by submitting the completed questionnaire, consent to participate in the study was given.

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Ahlstrand, I., Larsson, I., Larsson, M. et al. Health-promoting factors among students in higher education within health care and social work: a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data in a multicentre longitudinal study. BMC Public Health 22 , 1314 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13690-z

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Student Essays

Essay on Health & Importance of Health for Students

Health is defined as the state of body physically and mentally sound. Health is the prime source of happiness and comfort.

Read Following Best written Essays on Topic Health, importance & benefits of maintaining good health in life. These short and long essays are quite helpful for children & students.

Essay on Health, Importance, Benefits For Children & Students

Good health is the key to success. It is something which is neither bought nor sold but maintained. One who is sick remains confined to the bed.

Someone has said that there are four layers of energies which gives us good health, they are physical energy, mental energy, emotional energy and spiritual energy.

Benefits & Importance of Good Health

Health is very important aspect of life. The physical and mental well being of a person plays an important role in the life of a person. The absence of disease in life makes man able to achieve desired aims and objectives.

Related Post:   Paragraphs on Health is Wealth

One can work effectively when he enjoys good health. An unhealthy person can’t enjoy life, can’t ho out and can’t embrace the beauty of nature fully. Those who are healthy can work better and can excel in life. One who doesn’t have good health, he owns nothing.

There are numerous benefits of good health, only a healthy person can bounce back difficult experiences, can adapt to adversity, can achieve balance in life and can feel secure and safe.

How to Stay Healthy

To maintain good health one must go to bed early and wake up early. As it is said that early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. One who aspire to be healthy, he must adopt this law.

Regular exercise also help maintain good health. Exercise keeps body fit and makes man active and energetic. Jogging and walking are good forms of exercise.

One must eat balanced diet, hygienic food and keep oneself neat and clean. Cleanliness is the sign of good health. To enjoy a healthy life we must reduce the level of consumption of fast foods because fast foods are not good for health. Eat green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits to keep yourself healthy.

Those who smoke and drink excessively, they must reduce or quit smoking and drinking because these are injurious to health. In this modern period people have become more mechanized and are dependent on machines, they have become inactive and lazy. Physical activity is very for good health.

The surroundings and environment plays an important role in maintaining good health, one must keep the surroundings clean. Pollution free environment is the sole panacea of avoiding diseases.

Related Post:  Health is Wealth Speech For Students

Many diseases are caused by environmental pollution therefore it is necessary to keep environment clean and hygiene before maintaining good health. Nowadays temperatures of earth is increasing due to green house gases, one must avoid being out during noon time specially in summer season because sun’s harmful rays can cause skin cancer and can damage skin. Specially keep children indoor while sun is hot.

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• Health and Hygiene Essay

Introduction to Health and Hygiene

The term "Health" refers to the body's natural and healthy state. It is a wonderful source of calm and joy. A healthy state of mind and a physically fit body are considered to be free of disorder, illness, or disease. Health refers to a person's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being in basic terms. Cleanliness, adequate wastewater disposal, and safe drinking water supply are all examples of hygiene practices that help to avoid disease and promote good health. It encompasses all activities aimed at enhancing, preserving, and maintaining excellent health.

Health and Hygiene

Health is a positive state of being in which all components of the body and mind are in proper balance and harmony with one another. As a result, all of the body's organs are in good working order. It is well believed that only those people may be considered healthy if they have a healthy mind and a healthy body. For a healthy and happy existence, health and cleanliness are essential. In terms of community hygiene, health education is critical. To avoid disease and have a positive attitude about health, you must have accurate and comprehensive health knowledge. 

Hygiene is another word for sanitation and cleanliness. Great personal hygiene is essential for health reasons. One must practice good hygiene. We must cover our mouth while sneezing and immediately wash our hands to prevent the germs from spreading. This shows our consciousness about health through hygiene. Keeping a decent standard of cleanliness prevents the spread of disease. Social awareness must be spread amongst the civilians so that they would realize the importance of hygiene.

What Exactly is Health?

Health is a quality of life that enables you to live a longer life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a condition of complete physical, mental, spiritual, and communal well-being, rather than only the absence of illness."A person is not regarded as healthy if he is free of sickness or in good bodily shape but is stressed, tense, angry, greedy, or in any other way.

Aspects of Health

Let's look at the health concerns for a moment.

Physical well-being

Mental well-being:

Emotional wellness

The well-being of the community

Spiritual well-being

Hygiene is the science and art of maintaining and improving one's physical and mental well-being. Hygiene enables people to have a healthy interaction with their surroundings. It is applicable to both individuals and communities. Recognize the importance of hygiene and sanitation in maintaining good health.

Our hands keep touching so many surfaces such as handrails, smartphones, steering wheels while driving, etc. Hands are the part of the body that spreads germs the most easily. It takes less than a minute to wash our hands; still, many people refrain from doing this. Good hand hygiene is proven beneficial in preventing the spread of diseases amongst society and family. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), washing hands with soap and water is sufficient to prevent the spread of certain diseases by almost 50%. The next important part of the body that needs proper hygiene is the eye. We are all aware that the eyes are the most delicate part of the body. So taking care of it is not only essential but a necessity. We are surrounded by thousands of electronic things which have a bad impact on the eyes. Keeping the eyes clean must be a frequent task in our daily routine.

While playing in the school, kids must take care of their belongings, such as their water bottles. It is important to keep such things in a clean place. Keeping the bottle here and there and then drinking from the same water bottle is harmful to health. Parents and teachers play a vital role in creating awareness about hygiene in kids.

Hygiene is like a preventive measure that keeps us away from diseases and various other health ailments. No matter how much you care about cleanliness, if the potable water itself is not clean, then it is of no use. Water needs to be not only clean but also healthy. Water is used throughout the day, from drinking, cooking to cleanliness activities. Hence, it is important to use clean water. 

Civilians must be made aware of how to maintain hygiene in public places like hospitals. Hospitals are generally crowded with patients and it is obvious that the place will be a hotspot of bacteria and viruses. Hence, it is important to use hand sanitisers and maintain a safe distance from visibly sick people. The next critical step towards a healthy life is oral hygiene—proper oral hygiene wards off gum diseases, bad breath and many infections. Understanding the importance of hygiene will make it easier to eradicate the disease from the world.

How Do You Keep Your Hygiene?

The only thing that helps a person feel healthy is good hygiene. Otherwise, bacteria developing in the dirt generate a slew of ailments, and our health suffers as a result.

When we are surrounded by cleanliness, it makes us feel happy and motivates us to complete our tasks. If there is dirt surrounding us, no matter how focused we attempt to work, we will not be able to complete the task successfully. Our health will decline as well.

Hygiene is Crucial!

It helps to lessen the need for medical assistance: we are all susceptible to a variety of ailments around the world. Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, and lung disorders affect a large portion of the world's population. Some of these diseases are deadly, and there is no treatment that can save a person's life. There are extremely few sicknesses in a sanitary living individual. This person will not require medication to remain healthy. It protects against numerous germs and viruses by preserving personal cleanliness.

Health is more valuable than money, and everyone's health is paramount. It has a strong link to hygiene and health. There will be good health when there is cleanliness. Our health is heavily influenced by our surroundings.

FAQs on Health and Hygiene Essay

1. What are some of the ways to maintain personal hygiene?

We come in contact with millions of germs and viruses every day, all of which can make us sick. Some methods for maintaining personal hygiene and preventing the spread of germs and viruses include Toilet and Bath Hygiene: After using the restroom, we should always wash our hands. To maintain our nails clean, we must avoid biting them and trim them on a regular basis. Bacteria and viruses can quickly enter our bodies through the mouth, nose, and eyes. When handling garbage, touching animals, cleaning, etc., we should always wash our hands with soap and water.

2. Why is hygiene important for good health?

It is important to maintain good hygiene in order to avoid the spread of germs and infectious diseases. Coming into close contact with patients, handling contaminated food, and unclean surfaces or things can all pass on germs that cause many diseases. Poor hygiene can readily spread diarrhea, respiratory ailments, tooth decay, and other diseases. Seasonal flu, viruses, and other bacterial illnesses can all be aided by good cleanliness. As a result, sustaining good health requires a high level of hygiene.

3. Where can I find a well-written essay on Health and Hygiene?

You can find a well-written essay on the topic ‘Health and Hygiene’ on many online educational sites such as Vedantu. Vedantu offers well-curated study materials and articles on various topics. Students can find free essays on Health and Hygiene and other commonly-asked topics in exams.

4. Why is it important to train young kids on the importance of hygiene and sanitation?

Antibiotics and vaccinations are becoming less effective against viruses and bacteria. Many of these viruses are now being encountered all over the world, and the world is enabled to cope with them. Germs can readily spread among children because they play outside without paying attention to their health. To avoid getting sick, parents must educate their children on the value of cleanliness. In addition, basic personal cleanliness will help them feel more confident and self-assured. As a result, it is important to teach children about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene.

5. Is writing the Health and Hygiene Essay for Students in English difficult?

Regular practice and back to back sessions on essay writing can help students to write proper English essays. The Health and Hygiene Essay for Students in English requires some prior knowledge about health and hygiene and hence one should study about the same before writing it. After you've grabbed the concepts, the writing part isn't difficult. Vedantu can help you in framing proper English sentences with proper grammar, tone, clarity, and essay.

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NeurIPS 2024

Conference Dates: (In person) 9 December - 15 December, 2024

Homepage: https://neurips.cc/Conferences/2024/

Call For Papers 

Author notification: Sep 25, 2024

Camera-ready, poster, and video submission: Oct 30, 2024 AOE

Submit at: https://openreview.net/group?id=NeurIPS.cc/2024/Conference  

The site will start accepting submissions on Apr 22, 2024 

Subscribe to these and other dates on the 2024 dates page .

The Thirty-Eighth Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS 2024) is an interdisciplinary conference that brings together researchers in machine learning, neuroscience, statistics, optimization, computer vision, natural language processing, life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and other adjacent fields. We invite submissions presenting new and original research on topics including but not limited to the following:

• Applications (e.g., vision, language, speech and audio, Creative AI)
• Deep learning (e.g., architectures, generative models, optimization for deep networks, foundation models, LLMs)
• Evaluation (e.g., methodology, meta studies, replicability and validity, human-in-the-loop)
• General machine learning (supervised, unsupervised, online, active, etc.)
• Infrastructure (e.g., libraries, improved implementation and scalability, distributed solutions)
• Machine learning for sciences (e.g. climate, health, life sciences, physics, social sciences)
• Neuroscience and cognitive science (e.g., neural coding, brain-computer interfaces)
• Optimization (e.g., convex and non-convex, stochastic, robust)
• Probabilistic methods (e.g., variational inference, causal inference, Gaussian processes)
• Reinforcement learning (e.g., decision and control, planning, hierarchical RL, robotics)
• Social and economic aspects of machine learning (e.g., fairness, interpretability, human-AI interaction, privacy, safety, strategic behavior)
• Theory (e.g., control theory, learning theory, algorithmic game theory)

Machine learning is a rapidly evolving field, and so we welcome interdisciplinary submissions that do not fit neatly into existing categories.

Authors are asked to confirm that their submissions accord with the NeurIPS code of conduct .

Formatting instructions:   All submissions must be in PDF format, and in a single PDF file include, in this order:

• The submitted paper
• Technical appendices that support the paper with additional proofs, derivations, or results 
• The NeurIPS paper checklist  

Other supplementary materials such as data and code can be uploaded as a ZIP file

The main text of a submitted paper is limited to nine content pages , including all figures and tables. Additional pages containing references don’t count as content pages. If your submission is accepted, you will be allowed an additional content page for the camera-ready version.

The main text and references may be followed by technical appendices, for which there is no page limit.

The maximum file size for a full submission, which includes technical appendices, is 50MB.

Authors are encouraged to submit a separate ZIP file that contains further supplementary material like data or source code, when applicable.

You must format your submission using the NeurIPS 2024 LaTeX style file which includes a “preprint” option for non-anonymous preprints posted online. Submissions that violate the NeurIPS style (e.g., by decreasing margins or font sizes) or page limits may be rejected without further review. Papers may be rejected without consideration of their merits if they fail to meet the submission requirements, as described in this document. 

Paper checklist: In order to improve the rigor and transparency of research submitted to and published at NeurIPS, authors are required to complete a paper checklist . The paper checklist is intended to help authors reflect on a wide variety of issues relating to responsible machine learning research, including reproducibility, transparency, research ethics, and societal impact. The checklist forms part of the paper submission, but does not count towards the page limit.

Supplementary material: While all technical appendices should be included as part of the main paper submission PDF, authors may submit up to 100MB of supplementary material, such as data, or source code in a ZIP format. Supplementary material should be material created by the authors that directly supports the submission content. Like submissions, supplementary material must be anonymized. Looking at supplementary material is at the discretion of the reviewers.

We encourage authors to upload their code and data as part of their supplementary material in order to help reviewers assess the quality of the work. Check the policy as well as code submission guidelines and templates for further details.

Use of Large Language Models (LLMs): We welcome authors to use any tool that is suitable for preparing high-quality papers and research. However, we ask authors to keep in mind two important criteria. First, we expect papers to fully describe their methodology, and any tool that is important to that methodology, including the use of LLMs, should be described also. For example, authors should mention tools (including LLMs) that were used for data processing or filtering, visualization, facilitating or running experiments, and proving theorems. It may also be advisable to describe the use of LLMs in implementing the method (if this corresponds to an important, original, or non-standard component of the approach). Second, authors are responsible for the entire content of the paper, including all text and figures, so while authors are welcome to use any tool they wish for writing the paper, they must ensure that all text is correct and original.

Double-blind reviewing:   All submissions must be anonymized and may not contain any identifying information that may violate the double-blind reviewing policy.  This policy applies to any supplementary or linked material as well, including code.  If you are including links to any external material, it is your responsibility to guarantee anonymous browsing.  Please do not include acknowledgements at submission time. If you need to cite one of your own papers, you should do so with adequate anonymization to preserve double-blind reviewing.  For instance, write “In the previous work of Smith et al. [1]…” rather than “In our previous work [1]...”). If you need to cite one of your own papers that is in submission to NeurIPS and not available as a non-anonymous preprint, then include a copy of the cited anonymized submission in the supplementary material and write “Anonymous et al. [1] concurrently show...”). Any papers found to be violating this policy will be rejected.

OpenReview: We are using OpenReview to manage submissions. The reviews and author responses will not be public initially (but may be made public later, see below). As in previous years, submissions under review will be visible only to their assigned program committee. We will not be soliciting comments from the general public during the reviewing process. Anyone who plans to submit a paper as an author or a co-author will need to create (or update) their OpenReview profile by the full paper submission deadline. Your OpenReview profile can be edited by logging in and clicking on your name in https://openreview.net/ . This takes you to a URL "https://openreview.net/profile?id=~[Firstname]_[Lastname][n]" where the last part is your profile name, e.g., ~Wei_Zhang1. The OpenReview profiles must be up to date, with all publications by the authors, and their current affiliations. The easiest way to import publications is through DBLP but it is not required, see FAQ . Submissions without updated OpenReview profiles will be desk rejected. The information entered in the profile is critical for ensuring that conflicts of interest and reviewer matching are handled properly. Because of the rapid growth of NeurIPS, we request that all authors help with reviewing papers, if asked to do so. We need everyone’s help in maintaining the high scientific quality of NeurIPS.  

Please be aware that OpenReview has a moderation policy for newly created profiles: New profiles created without an institutional email will go through a moderation process that can take up to two weeks. New profiles created with an institutional email will be activated automatically.

Venue home page: https://openreview.net/group?id=NeurIPS.cc/2024/Conference

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQ: https://openreview.net/faq

Ethics review: Reviewers and ACs may flag submissions for ethics review . Flagged submissions will be sent to an ethics review committee for comments. Comments from ethics reviewers will be considered by the primary reviewers and AC as part of their deliberation. They will also be visible to authors, who will have an opportunity to respond.  Ethics reviewers do not have the authority to reject papers, but in extreme cases papers may be rejected by the program chairs on ethical grounds, regardless of scientific quality or contribution.  

Preprints: The existence of non-anonymous preprints (on arXiv or other online repositories, personal websites, social media) will not result in rejection. If you choose to use the NeurIPS style for the preprint version, you must use the “preprint” option rather than the “final” option. Reviewers will be instructed not to actively look for such preprints, but encountering them will not constitute a conflict of interest. Authors may submit anonymized work to NeurIPS that is already available as a preprint (e.g., on arXiv) without citing it. Note that public versions of the submission should not say "Under review at NeurIPS" or similar.

Dual submissions: Submissions that are substantially similar to papers that the authors have previously published or submitted in parallel to other peer-reviewed venues with proceedings or journals may not be submitted to NeurIPS. Papers previously presented at workshops are permitted, so long as they did not appear in a conference proceedings (e.g., CVPRW proceedings), a journal or a book.  NeurIPS coordinates with other conferences to identify dual submissions.  The NeurIPS policy on dual submissions applies for the entire duration of the reviewing process.  Slicing contributions too thinly is discouraged.  The reviewing process will treat any other submission by an overlapping set of authors as prior work. If publishing one would render the other too incremental, both may be rejected.

Anti-collusion: NeurIPS does not tolerate any collusion whereby authors secretly cooperate with reviewers, ACs or SACs to obtain favorable reviews. 

Author responses:   Authors will have one week to view and respond to initial reviews. Author responses may not contain any identifying information that may violate the double-blind reviewing policy. Authors may not submit revisions of their paper or supplemental material, but may post their responses as a discussion in OpenReview. This is to reduce the burden on authors to have to revise their paper in a rush during the short rebuttal period.

After the initial response period, authors will be able to respond to any further reviewer/AC questions and comments by posting on the submission’s forum page. The program chairs reserve the right to solicit additional reviews after the initial author response period.  These reviews will become visible to the authors as they are added to OpenReview, and authors will have a chance to respond to them.

After the notification deadline, accepted and opted-in rejected papers will be made public and open for non-anonymous public commenting. Their anonymous reviews, meta-reviews, author responses and reviewer responses will also be made public. Authors of rejected papers will have two weeks after the notification deadline to opt in to make their deanonymized rejected papers public in OpenReview.  These papers are not counted as NeurIPS publications and will be shown as rejected in OpenReview.

Publication of accepted submissions:   Reviews, meta-reviews, and any discussion with the authors will be made public for accepted papers (but reviewer, area chair, and senior area chair identities will remain anonymous). Camera-ready papers will be due in advance of the conference. All camera-ready papers must include a funding disclosure . We strongly encourage accompanying code and data to be submitted with accepted papers when appropriate, as per the code submission policy . Authors will be allowed to make minor changes for a short period of time after the conference.

Contemporaneous Work: For the purpose of the reviewing process, papers that appeared online within two months of a submission will generally be considered "contemporaneous" in the sense that the submission will not be rejected on the basis of the comparison to contemporaneous work. Authors are still expected to cite and discuss contemporaneous work and perform empirical comparisons to the degree feasible. Any paper that influenced the submission is considered prior work and must be cited and discussed as such. Submissions that are very similar to contemporaneous work will undergo additional scrutiny to prevent cases of plagiarism and missing credit to prior work.

Plagiarism is prohibited by the NeurIPS Code of Conduct .

Other Tracks: Similarly to earlier years, we will host multiple tracks, such as datasets, competitions, tutorials as well as workshops, in addition to the main track for which this call for papers is intended. See the conference homepage for updates and calls for participation in these tracks. 

Experiments: As in past years, the program chairs will be measuring the quality and effectiveness of the review process via randomized controlled experiments. All experiments are independently reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Financial Aid: Each paper may designate up to one (1) NeurIPS.cc account email address of a corresponding student author who confirms that they would need the support to attend the conference, and agrees to volunteer if they get selected. To be considered for Financial the student will also need to fill out the Financial Aid application when it becomes available.