CDC Healthy Schools Highlights

CDC Announcements

• A recently published article in Preventing Chronic Disease, titled “Awareness Among US Adults of Dental Sealants for Caries Prevention,” reports on the difference in sealant knowledge among demographic and socioeconomic groups in the United States. The study found that only 55% of parents surveyed had knowledge of dental sealants which are an effective way to prevent cavities in children. Visit our Oral Health in Schools page to learn more about school-based sealant programs.

Over 10.2 million children in the United States participate in out-of-school (OST) time activities, like after school programs. These supervised programs can also be available before the school day starts, during school breaks, and during summer breaks. Research shows that some OST programs can support student academic achievement and may play a role in reducing health disparities. Visit our Out of School Time page to learn more.

State Highlights

• Indiana’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA), in partnership with school administrators, district wellness coordinators, and Go Noodle, provided access to the classroom-based online physical activity platform called Go Noodle Plus. With a combined potential reach of 4,510 students across 11 schools, the initiative aims at increasing students’ daily physical activity. Physical activity as well as teacher engagement increased by the end of the trial. Evaluation will continue for future implementation efforts. Read this state’s success story.

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Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behavior patterns. To have the most positive effect on the health outcomes of young people, government agencies, community organizations, schools, and other community members must work together through a collaborative and comprehensive approach. Visit CDC’s Virtual Healthy School to see a School Wellness Team at work to improve policies to support school nutrition and physical activity using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.