Haryana emerges as model state for school-based health education: In an urgent yet hopeful call to action, noted scientist and health advocate Dr. Rahul Mehra, National Representative of India to the UNESCO Chair on Global Health and Education and Executive Chairman of Tarang Health Alliance, launched a nationwide campaign titled ‘5-4-3-2-1-0: Countdown to a Healthy Life!’ at a media workshop in Chandigarh.
Dr.Mehranoted that the life expectancy of an Indian is just around 70 years, compared to 85 in Japan. Unfortunately, an average Indian is only “healthy” till the age of 60 years. This is because physical and mental diseases are taking their toll. One in four Indians has diabetes and one in ten heart disease. Mental health issues are rising rapidly, especially among youth. Dr. Mehra emphasized that the most cost-effective solution is prevention – and that starts with health education in schools.“The only window to change this trajectory is during school years, when children are still forming their habits.”
The campaign, aimed at embedding healthy habits early in life, begins its rollout in Haryana, the first state to formally partner with Tarang Health Alliance to integrate structured health education into school curricula. Since April 2024, Haryana has piloted the programme in 12 government schools, successfully demonstrating how simple, everyday actions can transform health outcomes.
“We chose to begin in Haryana because the state has demonstrated rare commitment to health education,” said Dr. Mehra. “By allowing Tarang Health Alliance to work closely with its public education system, Haryana has created the ideal conditions for grassroots health learning. We are confident the state will emerge as a national leader in driving this mass awareness and behaviour change.”
“If we want to improve the country’s long-term health, we must begin with our children,” he added. “Changing adult behaviours is difficult. But if we empower our children with the right skills early on, they will carry these habits throughout their lives. The 5-4-3-2-1-0 campaign gives India a simple, science-based framework to do exactly that.”
The campaign outlines six daily health habits in an easy-to-remember countdown:
5: Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily
4: Wash hands properly with soap and water at least four times a day (after going to toilet, before breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
3: Consume three servings of protein-rich foods daily
2: Limit recreational screen time to two hours or less every day
1: Engage in at least one hour of physical activity every day
0: Avoid tobacco, sugary drinks, and salty packaged snacks
These habits are not just for children – they are designed to encourage families and schools to work together in building a culture of health.
Schools are being urged to incorporate the campaign into morning assemblies, administer a student health pledge, conduct creative competitions like poster-making, and engage parents through PTAs and community sessions.
A “Postcards to the Prime Minister” initiative invites children to share how these habits can help India achieve the dream of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
