Health Barriers to Learning

Abstract

This article summarizes the results from a 2013 online survey with 408 principals and assistant principals in New York City public elementary and middle schools. The survey assessed three primary areas: health issues in the school, health issues perceived as barriers to learning for affected students, and resources needed to address these barriers. Eighteen of the 22 health conditions listed in the survey were considered a moderate or serious issue within their schools by at least 10% of respondents. All 22 of the health issues were perceived as a barrier to learning by between 12% and 87% of the respondents. Representatives from schools that serve a higher percentage of low-income students reported significantly higher levels of concern about the extent of health issues and their impact on learning. Respondents most often said they need linkages with organizations that can provide additional services and resources at the school, especially for mental health.

Addressing the Consequences of School Closure Due to COVID‐19 on Children's Physical and Mental Well‐Being

“…Students face a range of health issues and barriers to learning, not least of which include limited access to health care to address such issues as asthma, vision, dental, and hearing problems; untreated mental health and behavioral problems; physical inactivity and obesity; persistent hunger and poor nutrition; and homelessness and abuse and neglect (Gracy et al, 2014;Gracy, Fabian, Roncaglione, Savage, & Redlener, 2017). These challenges pose considerable nonacademic barriers to learning, especially among Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and economically disadvantaged groups where they are more prevalent.…”

Revisiting the Link Between Depression Symptoms and High School Dropout: Timing of Exposure Matters

“…12 Even when manifest, they are often seen as less urgent because unlike externalizing behaviors, they typically do not interfere with classroom activities. 13 Such perceptions are reinforced by recent reviews concluding that depressive symptoms are not linked with dropout once accounting for externalizing problems. 11,14,15 Rather, this null finding may reflect suboptimal timing of depression assessments in existing studies.…”

Mental Health Screenings: Practices and Patterns of These and Other Health Screenings in U.S. School Districts

“…Screening can be performed using a systematic instrument or process with an entire population (school student body), a group of students (classroom or grade level), or individually (Perron et al, 2021). Research demonstrates that mental health and behavioral health issues impact academic outcomes (Brown et al, 2021; Dalsgaard et al, 2020; Gracy et al, 2017; Marsh & Mathur, 2020). Additionally, unmet mental health needs negatively impact life-long outcomes such as graduation from high school, educational opportunities, employment, and social and financial advancement (Goodman-Scott et al, 2019; Guerra et al, 2019; Larson et al, 2017; Marsh & Mathur, 2020).…”