Healthy
Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.
Research confirms that students do better in school when they are emotionally and physically healthy. They miss fewer classes, are less likely to engage in risky or antisocial behavior, concentrate more, and achieve higher test scores. Unfortunately, too many students go to class in less than optimal health.
What We Know
The percentage of overweight children 6–11 years old has more than doubled in the past two decades, and the percentage of overweight adolescents has more than tripled (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2006).
Nearly 40 percent of elementary schools have eliminated or are considering eliminating recess, even though 75 percent of parents and teachers think elementary school recess should be mandatory (PTA, 2008).
Across all states, more than 10 million low income students who are eligible for a school breakfast do not receive it, often because local school officials do not elect to offer their children this federally funded program (Brown, Beardslee, & Prothrow-Stith, 2008).
In the United States today, 1 in 10 children and adolescents suffers from mental illness severe enough to result in significant functional impairment. Children and adolescents with mental disorders are at much greater risk for dropping out of school and suffering longterm impairments. (National Advisory Mental Health Council Workgroup on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Intervention Development and Deployment, 2001)
More than eight million children are without health insurance. This means they are likely to be without a family health care provider to see that they receive timely immunizations or well-child visits to identify emerging health problems. (Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006)
What We Recommend
It makes sense that for students to learn at high levels, they must first be healthy. Students who are sick, who come to school hungry, who can't breathe because of asthma, who can't see the blackboard because of poor vision, or who can't concentrate because of pervasive toothaches or depression are unlikely to do well academically. To ensure that all students are healthy, we recommend, at a minimum:
- A school health advisory council with students, family, community, and business members
- Students be routinely screened for immunizations, vision, hearing, dental, and orthopedic concerns
- Physical education and health classes emphasize lifetime healthy behaviors
- Healthy food choices are available at school
Please take a moment and grade your school and community.
Find resources to strengthen your school and community's commitment to health.
