Presents a history of comprehensive school health education (CSHE). Though history records an interest in health from the beginning of time, the first movement toward CSHE occurred in the 1960s. Before the 1970s, no rigorous studies examined the effectiveness of CSHE curricula. The 1990s are witnessing strong support for CSHE. (SM)

Health education is subject to evolutionary waves of change. The paper describes three past waves (program development, evaluation, and maintenance) and discusses a fourth, program ownership, which has yet to become a significant force. Implications for future waves are highlighted. (SM)