Health equity and school environments: Overcoming health disparities using collaborations and indoor air quality programs that support school health

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) uses the EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools framework to address social justice through the lens of Urban Healthy Schools Coalition (UHSC) and a Rural Healthy Schools Coalition (RHSC)—both of which experience disproportionate health issues associated with disproportionate resource constraints. These resources are cost-effective strategies to overcome elements of health disparities.

This presentation describes the IAQ framework and how coalitions apply it towards school health, and provides a case study of IAQ initiatives that target high-need, under-resourced schools to promote health equity and positive outcomes for children.

AASA collects qualitative and quantitative data quarterly from UHSC and RHSC using electronic forms, analyzes data based on project objectives, and evaluates data according to project deliverables and health outcomes.

Through AASA's UHSC and RHSC, formal IAQ plans have been implemented in 30 school systems, serving 2 million students and 225,000 staff in 1,900 buildings. AASA encourages coalition members to involve school departments where IAQ overlaps and communicate progress with one another through AASA's quarterly outreach. The effects that coalition activity and AASA resources have on district's IAQ and student health will be outlined and supported using indicators of absenteeism and disease management.

The characteristics of AASA's IAQ framework are effective towards the promotion of student health and achievement as documented by both high-need urban and rural districts. Coalition experience further proves the affordability, accessibility, acceptability, and availability of AASA's framework, all of which are at the core of health equity and social justice.