Back-to-school health: A holistic approach to youth health

Keeping Children Healthy: A Holistic Approach to Addressing Youth Health

By Lindiwe Vilakazi

WI Health Reporter

From back-to-school shopping, to last-minute annual check-ups, summer vacation is coming to a close, and this month students are preparing for a return to the classroom. But while this bustling time of year comes with newness and milestones, students must also arm themselves with tools to protect their physical and mental health.

As children are often noted as “the future,” youth wellness is integral to not only health and happiness, but to a better community and society overall.

“A child’s health is the nation’s wealth,” said Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, scientist and former Indian president.

Featuring ways to stop the spread of the common cold to COVID-19, and resources to prevent obesity and depression, this back-to-school health special edition emphasizes the importance of prioritizing students’ physical and mental wellness so they can thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Monitoring children’s health is important from infancy.  Regular check-ups, eye doctor visits, checking for scoliosis, teaching respiratory etiquette, encouraging physical activity, serving balanced meals, and providing positive, safe environments for youth to express themselves can be key in contributing to young people’s overall health and development.

With August dedicated to children’s eye health, local ophthalmology pediatrician Dr. Janine Smith-Marshall weighs in on the importance of eye health and what visual afflictions may look like for a child. In addition, Luke Stikeleather, founder of the National Scoliosis Center, shares how to check for scoliosis, and the ins and outs of helping children cope with the deformity.  Further, experts share ways for students to protect themselves in and out of the classroom, by using tissues when sneezing and coughing, eating well, and staying physically active.

Like in adults, students’ physical and mental health are equally important, and often intertwined.

While physical ailments can weigh heavily on the emotional and mental well-being of a child, various social elements can also contribute to challenges. Rampant gun violence, the opioid crisis, socioeconomic disparities, lack of access to healthy foods and limited physical activity are some of the contributing factors to the increasing mental health crisis affecting youth across the District.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes challenging social and environmental factors can have negative implications on students’ overall well-being.

“Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, decision making, and their health. Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy.”

On the heels of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, learn about the American Psychiatric Association’s Moore Equity Mental Health Youth Summit, and how youth fitness can contribute to mental wellness.

While it might be hard to see the summer sun and vacation slowly fade away, it’s important to ensure students have a safe return back-to-school and a great year. Remember, prioritizing physical and mental wellness is an important contribution to students growing and thriving during the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.