The grade 8 health course helps students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy decisions to stay active, safe, and informed as teenagers and as adults. The lessons and activities introduce important aspects of the main types of health: emotional and mental health, social health and wellness, and physical health. Among other topics, students explore nutrition, understanding and avoiding disease, violence prevention and safety, body systems, and building character through maintaining healthy relationships. They also explore topics related to the use and abuse of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol; green schools and environmental health; dating, abstinence, and human sexuality; and mental and emotional health and disorders. The course engages students with relevant health and wellness topics, and real-world concepts and health issues. Quizzes and tests assess student understanding of the various health topics and concepts from the course.