Environmental Justice at School: Understanding Research, Policy, and Practice to Improve Our Children's Health

Abstract

Environmental injustice is generally unacknowledged during decision-making in US school districts. Continued dialogue reflective of translatable science is necessary to support school districts with limited funding in ensuring safe, healthy environments for learning.

Geographic Disparity in Funding for School Nutrition Environments: Evidence from Mississippi Schools

“…6,11 Public health literature and policies have emphasized the importance of built-in environments including schools, workplace, roads, safe recreational facilities and parks, zoning, transportation, and healthy food access as determinants of health. 14 Further research has been called for to evaluate and promote the environment that positively impacts child and adolescent obesity.…”

“…11 In particular, literature suggests that the awareness of racial health inequality in the United States and steps to improve the health equality among society should be addressed at the local, state, and federal level. 6 However, there is little research on how available financial resources to support school nutrition varies by the socioeconomic and demographic profile of local communities, which may be a critical source of geographic disparity in child nutrition and health.…”

Ambient air pollution concentration in Montreal and environmental equity: Are children at risk at school?

“…In that perspective, the characterization of the socioeconomic status of children attending schools located in areas that are most affected by traffic-related air pollution has become a topic of considerable interest in the literature on environmental and social equity because of the amount of time that children spend at school (Sampson, 2012).…”

“…In light of these health risks, six American states have set tighter urban planning standards in regard to the development of sensitive-use facilities such as schools and playgrounds near major traffic arteries. Moreover, only six states require environmental assessments in school siting processes (Sampson, 2012). The State of California has adopted the strictest planning norms.…”

School Contexts as Social Determinants of Child Health: Current Practices and Implications for Future Public Health Practice

“…12,31 Although some international efforts (initiated by WHO) have been made to better understand patterns of inequality on children's SDH, 16,20 patterns and magnitude of inequity in the U.S. school system remain unclear. Based on the current school funding strategies, which rely heavily on state and district funding (40%-70% of school funding comes from state sources and 20%-50% comes from local sources) and depend on geographic location and school performance, 32 it would not be difficult to predict widespread inequalities. Furthermore, the recent U.S. economic decline may lead to future drastic budget cuts on school programs and school construction projects.…”