Physical Health

Image
physical health

Physical health is the physical well-being of the school community and its members.

Environments that enhance student learning require attention to the physical health and safety needs of the entire school community. Research demonstrates that academic achievement improves in schools where students are physically healthy and feel physically safe. This includes a healthy school nutrition environment that provides students with nutritious and appealing foods and beverages, consistent and accurate messages about good nutrition, and ways to learn about and practice healthy eating. Ultimately, a healthy school community is the foundation for a comprehensive high-quality education.

 

Featured Resources

Mother laughing with son

Examines how children across the United States were faring before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Identifies multi-year trends comparing statistics from 2010 to 2018 and utilizes this information to help shape policymakers, researchers, and advocates' work to build stronger futures for children, families, and communities.

Landing page of a federal resource.

Assists parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help them make decisions about sending their child back to school. Documents information on COVID-19 and why safely reopening schools is so critical.

Healthy foods

Provides in-depth knowledge to help adolescents develop healthy behaviors and reinforce healthy habits. Additionally, provides recommendations for how adults can help teens learn to make healthy food choices.

Shows connection between school nutrition and social and emotional climate (SEC) and learning (SEL). This research brief describes the SEL core competencies and provides examples of school nutrition policies and practices that reflect each competency. 

Landing page of a federal resource.

Tips to help plan for school, including in-person, virtual, and at-home learning. Outlines

Graphic of a blood droplet.

Includes information about how HIV is spread and suggests strategies to prevent transmission.

Features information, resources, and research related to student health to assist with the successful implementation of programs and efforts that address the physical and mental health of all students and promote healthy school environments. The website includes a variety of information and direct links, including federal grant program announcements, learning opportunities, evidence-based practices, capacity building strategies, training webinars, and research related to student health and healthy school environments.

Graphic of a spray bottle including information on inhalants

Highlights dangerous results of inhalants and informs teens with steps they can take to rise above the influence of this harmful solvent or other material.

Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs: Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Clarifies appropriate mitigation strategies based on level of community transmission of COVID-19 and presence of COVID-19 cases within the school. Provides guidance for when confirmed cases have entered a school, regardless of the level of community transmission.

Landing page of a federal resource.

Offers the latest science on transmission risk, and the costs and benefits of opening schools during this time. Aids school administrators as they consider how to protect the health, safety, wellbeing of students, teachers, other school staff, families, and communities to prepare educating students this fall.

Webpage listing strategies and further information

Promotes physical wellness through infrastructure improvements, enforcement, tools, safety education, and incentives to encourage walking and bicycling to school. Includes an SRTS Guide along with simple strategies, such as the walking school bus, that schools can use to support bicycling and walking.

Related Resources

Research

Products

Websites

American Institutes for Research

U.S. Department of Education

The contents of the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Web site were assembled under contracts from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools to the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Contract Number  91990021A0020.

This Web site is operated and maintained by AIR. The contents of this Web site do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education nor do they imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

©2023 American Institutes for Research — Disclaimer   |   Privacy Policy   |   Accessibility Statement