Motivating Pediatricians to Become Involved in
School Health

SLIDE I-9

Why should the pediatrician become involved in school health? There are many good reasons.

• That's where the children are. Ninty-eight percent of children attend school.
• Schools are about growth and development; pediatricians are the most knowledgeable professionals in the field of growth and development.
• Working with schools extends the pediatrician's influence over the children in the community.
• Schools are excellent venues for developing coalitions within a community to advocate for children.
• Working with the school can give a pediatrician an advantage over other physicians when working with a child with school problems.
• Members of the education community including teachers, administrators, and school board members value the pediatrician's role and input and view the pediatrician as a consultant.
• Involvement with schools on health issues allows the pediatrician to influence health education and family life curricula.

SLIDE I-10