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ducation and health status are important indicators to determine the wealth status in a community. The Human Development Index has also stated that keys to human development include a long healthy life and being knowledgeable. Yet, integrated efforts to create a health curriculum in our education system have not started yet.

Research has proved that healthy behavior is built from an early age and basic health knowledge will improve the health indicators collectively. Some schools have already had some health education, but we have not yet established a standard health curriculum.

The mortality index and maternal health are the most common health indicators. Therefore, basic knowledge that supports these indicators is required to elevate our health status. Although infection is a leading cause of our mortality, a common understanding to prevent and control infection is already installed in some schools through basic hygiene programs.

The most talked-about prevention methods involve education on nutrition and an active lifestyle, which features in some school programs and which help prevent metabolic disease. Yet knowledge of trauma and emergency cases is lacking despite the frequency of accidents.

Given the lack of reliable emergency services, knowledge of basic emergency care for everyone is crucial. Nowadays, emergency care knowledge is only taught to some students in some health-based groups and only a few students and teachers know the emergency line to be contacted if any emergency cases occur.

The knowledge to deal with accidents, for example, accident preparedness, emergency line services, basic victim care and hospital referrals are examples of the simple knowledge that will elevate survivor numbers and reduce the morbidity index. Because emergency cases are sporadic and unpredictable, everybody should have the same level of understanding to show the effect on our health status. Therefore, the easiest way to deliver this knowledge is through our schools.

Together with the fight to curb HIV/AIDS, maternal health is also an indicator in the Millennium Development Goals, which is targeted to be reached by 2015. Unfortunately, we are far behind on achieving this goal, but we could assist to reduce the numbers through proper sex education.

Research has proven that the knowledge, attitude and behavior of safe sex are strongly connected with the lower number of cases of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

Proper sex education also prepares a healthier generation, since it educates children to become responsible adults and prepare them to become healthier and better parents. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), that is age-appropriate, scientifically accurate, realistic and non-judgmental, has been recommended by UNESCO through its global guidance on sexuality education, published in 2009.

However, sex education is a taboo topic. It could be arranged to be conveyed in stages, so it will be in line with students'€™ ages and necessity. In fact, without education, curiosity could hinder physical and emotional growth. Moreover, a child'€™s innocence could be exploited through sexual harassment, even in school, as reports show.

It is clear that a health curriculum that includes sex education is worth considering, to produce healthier and safer sexual behavior that will reduce HIV and STD rates and raise the maternal health status.

To form the golden, healthier generation, health knowledge should start in school at the earliest age possible, preferably through a health curriculum, so it will be standardized knowledge that everyone has the right to learn.