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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Nancy D. Brener, PhD, Sherry Everett Jones, Laura Kann, PhD, and Tim McManus. Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop K-33, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-6184, nad1@cdc.gov
To understand the relationship between demographic characteristics of schools and school health policies and programs, we analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000. SHPPS 2000 provides nationally representative data on eight components of school health. Data were collected from school faculty and staff using on-site computer-assisted personal interviews. Results of a series of regression analyses indicated that school health policies and programs vary by school type (public, private, or Catholic), urbanicity, school enrollment size, per-pupil expenditure, and percent white students. For example, meeting the recommended nurse-to-student ratio of 1:750 is negatively associated with school enrollment size (â=-0.01, p < .001), and positively associated with per-pupil expenditure (â=0.01, p < .001). Schools with policies ensuring totally tobacco-free environments are more likely to be public--52.7% of public schools have tobacco-free environments, compared to 21.4% of Catholic schools and 33.9% of private schools. Schools with tobacco-free environments also are more likely to be urban (55.1%) than rural (17.5%), and tend to be larger (â=0.01, p < .05). Schools with “closed campuses” are more likely to be Catholic (97.3%) than public (87.8%), and have a smaller percentage of white students (â=-0.02, p < .005). Schools in which students can purchase “junk foods” at lunchtime are more likely to be private (87.8%) than public (65.4%). This practice also is positively associated with school enrollment size (â=0.01, p < .05). Results of this study demonstrate that demographic characteristics of schools are an indicator of quality school health programs.
Learning Objectives:
Related Web page: www.cdc.gov/shpps
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.