Critical Connections: Health and Academics

This article summarizes the literature on the connection between health and academic achievement using the Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child (WSCC) framework as a way to address health-related barriers to learning. The authors conducted a literature review on the association between student health and academic achievement and find that most of the evidence examined the association between student health behaviors and academic achievement, with physical activity having the most published studies and consistent findings.

The evidence supports the need for school health services by demonstrating the association between chronic conditions and decreased achievement. Safe and positive school environments were associated with improved health behaviors and achievement. Engaging families and community members in schools also had a positive effect on students’ health and achievement. The authors conclude that schools can improve the health and learning of students by supporting opportunities to learn about and practice healthy behaviors, providing school health services, creating safe and positive school environments, and engaging families and community.