Schools are essential for young people to acquire knowledge, socioemotional skills that ensure the basis for a healthy future. Safe and supportive school environments have been reflected in better health outcomes. Healthy students are linked to reduced drop-out rates, greater educational performance, productivity, and further better employment in the future.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines school health services (SHS) as services offered to students in primary or secondary education by a healthcare professional, either on school grounds or at a separate healthcare facility. Countries have various forms of SHS, but many such programs currently are not scientific-based and are not planned and funded well. Also, implementation of those forms of SHS underreach and scope is limited.
WHO initiated the Global School Health Initiative that targeted to strengthen approaches to health promotion in schools in 1995. Unfortunately, students experience a range of largely preventable health problems, including injury, violence, sexual, reproductive and mental health issues, and noncommunicable and communicable diseases. Students need positive experiences and support during development stages as they progress from childhood to adulthood.
However, the quality of health services and coverage is still limited in the world. Therefore, schools can provide a unique opportunity to implement effective health services at scale for students.