Healthier Students Are Better Learners

Charles E. Basch, Ph.D. is the Richard March Hoe Professor of Health Education at Teachers  College, Columbia University.

Professor Basch presented a fascinating lecture at the New York Academy of  Medicine on, “Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link In Efforts To Close The Achievement Gap”. In his presentation, Professor Bausch focused on how health disparities affect student achievement. He presented recommendations as to how school health programs and policies can comprehensively address these disparities in ways that are both coordinated and strategic. His findings are based on six educationally relevant health disparities including vision [ the first and of critical importance ], asthma, teen pregnancy, aggression and violence, physical activity and breakfast. He described them as often overlooked issues related to the achievement gap in schools serving urban minority youth. This research study was underwritten by a Federal grant in behalf  of The Campaign For Educational Equity at Teachers College, Columbia University.

A  host of references in the chapter on vision are optometric including colleagues at SUNY (State University of NY College of Optometry).  The report also mentions that vision screening are often limited and do NOT address the full range of vision-related  learning problems affecting youth.  Vision therapy is also mentioned

Click here to download report.  The vision information is on page 12-18

Thanks to Dr. Andrea Thau for sharing this enlightening information