Variation in school health policies and programs by demographic characteristics of US schools.
To understand the relationship between demographic characteristics of schools and school health policies and programs, this study analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000. SHPPS 2000 provides nationally representative data on eight components of school health. Data were collected from school faculty and staff using onsite, computer-assisted personal interviews, then linked with extant data on school characteristics. Results from a series of regression analyses indicated that the presence of most policies and programs examined differed according to school type (public, private, or Catholic), urbanicity, school enrollment size, per-pupil expenditure, percentage of White students and, among high schools, percentage of college-bound students. No one type of school, however, was more likely than another type to have all key aspects of a school health program in place. Regardless of school characteristics, all schools are capable of implementing quality school health programs.
Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS K-33, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. nad1@cdc.gov
Nancy D
ND
Brener
Sherry
S
Everett Jones
Laura
L
Kann
Tim
T
McManus
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D005178:Faculty / Q000592:standards; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D016134:Organizational Policy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools / Q000145:classification / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States