This series of programs is an interactive liver wellness education program targeted to elementary, middle, high school and college students. There are 3 age appropriate presentations. The program educates students about the liver and actions that they can take to maximize liver health and ultimately prevent liver disease. It can be held in school and after-school settings as well as venues such as camps, community organizations and organizations that work with various age groups on a local, state or national level.
Love Your Liver, Elementary School (Level 1) is an age appropriate program for grades 3 through 5. Students will learn about the causes of liver disease and action steps that they can follow to prevent them. The format style is presented in a simple and discrete manner. The program also includes a number of interactive activities that can be integrated, time permitting.
Love Your Liver, Middle School (Level 2) educates middle school students about the liver and its functions, ways to take care of it, different types of liver diseases and their risk factors and most importantly prevention tips. Also included are photos of an actual liver as well as graphics that depict the progression of liver disease.
Teens to Twenties: Liver Wellness Guide was created specifically for high school and college aged students. This presentation covers all of the issues covered in the Middle School version however in much more depth. This program also deals with social problems and lifestyle issues of today’s youth. It covers the risks of alcohol and binge drinking, drugs, including information on street, over-the-counter and prescriptions drugs, information on acetaminophen, the most common misused over-the-counter drug today, tattooing and body piercings, sexual behavior, and viral hepatitis. There are photos of a healthy and cirrhotic liver as well as the progression of liver disease and other graphics reinforcing some of the major issues presented.
Once a student has participated in this program, s/he will have a greater understanding of the liver’s importance and will take the necessary steps to maximize their liver health and prevent the further spread of liver disease. It is the American Liver Foundation’s hope that students will share their knowledge with family and friends, resulting in playing an active role in impacting the liver health of all those around them.