CDC Releases New Data on the Connection between Student Health and Academic Performance

CDC Releases New Data on the Connection between Student Health and Academic Performance

CDC Releases New Data on the Connection between Student Health and Academic Performance

As students head back to school, new CDC data published in the September 7th issue of The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report confirms that regardless of sex, race/ethnicity and grade-level, high school students reporting lower academic grades also report greater health risk behaviors related to substance use, violence, and sex.

Data from the 2015 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) show that students with higher grades are less likely than their peers with lower grades to participate in certain risk behaviors. Compared to students with lower grades (mostly D’s/F’s), students with higher grades (mostly A’s) are

Less likely to be currently sexually active Less likely to drink alcohol before the age of 13 Less likely to have ever used marijuana While these results do not prove a causal link between academics and health, these associations are important because they confirm that across nearly all 30 health risk behaviors examined, students who reported engaging in unhealthy behaviors struggle academically. CDC has identified schools as a key setting for improving health. Given the amount of time students spend in the classroom, the strong connection between health and academic success underscores the importance of supporting health education as a critical component of academic preparation. Students who are more involved in activities at school, who feel more connected to adults at school, and whose parents are more engaged in their schools are more likely to have academic success and less likely to participate in risky health behaviors. It is important for education and public health professionals to work together to address risk behaviors in schools. School settings provide an opportunity for improving student health and supporting overarching school goals regarding academic outcomes. Education and public health professionals can Educate families and communities about the strong relationship between health risk behaviors and educational outcomes. Increase awareness about and connect students to health programs and services. Develop and implement programs designed to improve health and educational outcomes for students. To help guide efforts focused on academic success and better health for students, CDC provides the following resources: Adolescent and School Health Factsheets MMWR: Health-related behaviors and academic achievement among high school students, United States, 2015 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Summary Program Tools for Education Agencies and Schools Parent Engagement Information and Resources School Connectedness and Other Protective Factors Resources These resources can help public health and education professionals engage stakeholders in supporting student learning and health through school-based practices. Please share these new resources with other interested colleagues implementing youth HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention programs. For more information on CDC’s school health efforts, visit www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth and stay in touch by following us on Twitter at @CDC_DASH.