The major risk factors for adolescents (unintentional injuries and accidents, lack of physical activity, improper nutrition, use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, STDs and unintended pregnancy) are the leading causes of death for youth and are the focus of high school health education courses. Typically, one semester of health is required for students in grades 9 through 12. It is questioned whether the amount of health education presented in high school courses can impact changes in health habits of adolescents. This study focused on the retention of health information from the required high school health course in a small southwest Missouri high school. Permission to conduct the study was received from the SMSU Protection of Human Subjects Review Board. Each participant and his/her parent/guardian signed an informed consent. Of the possible 65 students, 39 chose to participate in the study. Students were divided into three groups according to the number of years (1, 2, or 3) since completing the required health course. Fifteen students participated in the 3-year study, nine students were in the 2-year study, and 15 students volunteered to be a part of the 1-year study. Each group of students was re-tested over course information and test scores were compared to their original test scores. The three-year group had an average change score of –23, the two-year group experienced a –9 retest average, and the one-year group retest change score was –20. The average test score of the three-year students (school year 1998-1999) was 82. Their retest average was 59, making a change score of -23. The mean test score of the two-year students (school year 1999-2000) was 76 and the retest average was 68. The average test score for the one-year students was 79 and their average retest score was 59, making a change score of -20. Only three of 39 students (8%) showed improvement in health education knowledge. The disturbing result is that the majority (92%) of students lost approximately one-fifth of the basic health concepts needed to achieve health literacy. Statewide and nationally, school districts should be urged to increase the amount of academic time devoted to health education. Health should become one of the basics of academics and daily life, as are reading and simple math skills.