Make Children's Health
a Priority in Your Community
All children deserve access to the critical, preventative, and necessary health services that SCHIP provides; yet, 4 million children who could be covered by the program are currently uninsured. Please contact your federal lawmakers and tell them not to wait another day to reauthorize and extend this important legislation.
As educators, we know firsthand how vital health is to children's academic performance. When children come to school sick or hungry; do not receive treatment for asthma, poor vision, or pervasive toothaches; or struggle emotionally as a result of factors inside or outside of school, they are unlikely to do well academically. On the other hand, children who are healthy, both physically and emotionally, perform better in school and require less remediation and resources.
What does school have to do with health?
Schooling affects lifelong health; in general, people who attain higher levels of education tend to live longer. In recognition of this connection, the national health objectives outlined in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 include
- Increasing the high school completion rate to 90 percent.
- Increasing the proportion of schools that provide health education to 70 percent to reduce risk behaviors that lead to injury, chronic disease development, and death.
- Increasing to 50 percent the proportion of schools that have a nurse-to-student ratio of at least 1:750.
What is the cost of rising obesity rates among children in U.S. schools?
In the United States, one third of children and youth are currently obese or at risk of becoming obese. A brief by the Institute of Medicine indicates that over the past 30 years, the obesity rate has nearly tripled for children ages 2-5 years (from 5 to 14 percent) and youth ages 12-19 years (from 5 to 17 percent), and quadrupled for children ages 6-11 years (from 4 to 19 percent).
According to the National Governors Association, which represents all 50 of the nation's governors, "The prevalence of obesity among U.S. students contributes to poor academic performance, increases health and education costs, and threatens to constrain state budgets and economic growth."
What happened to recess?
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day; yet, as a result of No Child Left Behind's emphasis on testing and accountability, many U.S. schools are eliminating health education and physical education classes and abandoning recess.
The National PTA reports that 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.
What can you do to make children's health a priority in your community?
Coordinate your efforts! Implementing a coordinated school health program (CSHP) provides schools with a systematic approach to meeting the needs of the whole child and maximizing the positive effect health has on students, schools, and communities. By establishing a school health advisory council—made up of students, family members, and representatives from the community—to oversee the CSHP, you can ensure health services that help students stay in school; nutrition services that reinforce what students learn about healthy eating in health education classes; and counseling services that support students and staff.
Spread the word! Health is linked to academic success. Make it a priority in your community by asking your legislators to ensure all children are routinely screened for immunizations and for vision, hearing, dental, and orthopedic concerns. Advocate to increase the number of school nurses and counselors available to students. Use the Whole Child Resolution Tool Kit to ask your local school board, town council, and other policymakers in your community to support a resolution that addresses the needs of the whole child.
Promote tools to help schools and districts change! Educators must join with noneducators to build healthy school communities worldwide that demonstrate capacity for best practice in leadership and instruction, comprehensive health programs, and strong collaboration with other community institutions. Grade Your School and Community, and then ask your school, district, and community leaders to respond to your results.
Educate the educators! Work with districts to promote health-related professional development for teachers and staff. Because of the role health plays in student learning and engagement, educators must be supported in their efforts to ensure students learn the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to make health decisions that best prepare them for success in school, work, and life. Share your story to tell others about your experiences in your community.
A community investment in children's health is both right and cost-effective.