Strengthening the well being of children and youth through health programs in schools
What do childhood obesity, teen pregnancy, asthma management, media violence, tobacco use, depression and teen suicide have in common? They are all issues that schools are being asked to address in the 21st century. It makes sense. Fifty-five million children between the ages 5 and 19 attend an elementary or secondary school somewhere in the United States. Schools are the one place where most school-age children congregate six or seven hours a day, nine months a year. Providing high-quality health programs in school – including school nursing, school-based health centers, mental and dental health services as well as health promoting programs and practices -- is the most direct, efficient way to assure that all children get the help they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
This web site combines information on the core issues that students, young and old, bring to school with guidance on organizational and financing challenges that health and education officials confront in building effective school health services and health promotion programs. Along the way the site also provides updates on other key issues such as the health needs of immigrant and refugee children, school drug testing, children’s health insurance, school lunches, HPV vaccinations, eating disorders, and scoliosis screening.
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools is committed to supporting the good health of children and adolescents by working with parents, teachers, health professionals and school administrators to strengthen successful school-based health programs in all communities in the U.S.
