A model for mapping linkages between health and education agencies to improve school health

Efforts to develop effective and sustainable school health programs evolved in sophistication the past 20 years through research and practical experie nce. This paper reviews these developments, arguing they were significantly driven by public health priorities, and have not adequately accounted for educational perspectives and priorities. To better understand the differenc es in perspective, a model is presented which illustrates linkages between different school-based inputs and strategies, and long-term health and educ ational outcomes. The model describes similarities and differences between the two perspectives. A significant coincidence exists in factors that dete rmine educational attainment and improved health outcomes for students. A m ore holistic and integrated approach to school health is emerging, and at t hese interfaces our implementation and research efforts for the 21st centur y should be concentrated.