HealthCorps history

In 2004, HealthCorps launched a lunchtime workshop at George Washington Educational Campus in Washington Heights, New York, led by HealthCorps coordinators–recent college graduates with an interest in health careers who serve as peer-mentors.

By 2006, the HealthCorps network grew to six schools in New York City as well as the Academy of the New Church in Pennsylvania, and two schools in New Jersey Cliffside Park High School and North Bergen High School.

In 2007, HealthCorps embarked on a national rollout, extending its health education and mentoring program to 36 schools, including 29 in New York City, two in New Jersey, one in Florida, and one in Pennsylvania.

Since 2008, as HealthCorps continued to expand into more schools across the US, the curriculum has been regularly enhanced and updated.

"Effect of HealthCorps, a High School Peer Mentoring Program, on Youth Diet and Physical Activity", Childhood Obesity, 2011, John Cawley, PhD

In fall 2012, in response to requests from educators for training in the curriculum, HealthCorps piloted a staff training program called HealthCorps University in California with the Sacramento Unified School District.

In 2013, HealthCorps joined forces with CK-12, a nonprofit that has created a digital platform (http://www.ck12.org) providing free and customizable K-12 educational resources.

"Efficacy of Teen Battle Chef program to shift the Academic Performance and Health Behaviors in NYC High School Students", Abstract, AHA Scientific Session, 2014, Hyunwoo Park, MS

"Behaviors and Knowledge of HealthCorps New York City High School Students: Nutrition, Mental Health, and Physical Activity", Journal of School Health, 2015, MoonseongHeo, PhD

"The Role of a Mentor and Champion in Implementing ASPIRE (A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience)", Abstract, National Tobacco or Health Conference, Austin 2016, Alexander Prokhorov, MD, PhD