Better Health, Better Learning Report - July 2017 SCORE Better Health Better Learning Report_July 20 | Page 3
Youth health indicators show Tennessee
students are at greater risk of chronic
illness, obesity, and other health
problems that, in turn, negatively affect
their prospects for success in school.
Partnerships across sectors including
education, public health, and economic
and workforce development hold
promise to improve the overall well-
being and academic achievement of
Tennessee’s young people.
The State Collaborative on Reforming
Education (SCORE), in partnership
with NashvilleHealth, began in 2016
an initiative to broaden awareness of
the connections between health and
student achievement in Tennessee,
as well as to deepen understanding
across both the education and public
health communities. With support
from NashvilleHealth, SCORE has
reviewed state and national research
and data on student health and
academic achievement. This research
brief is a resource to inform a common
conversation about how to better meet
the needs of students in Tennessee
schools and ensure they are healthy and
ready to learn.
KEY FINDINGS:
Physical activity, nutrition, and overall
well-being can have a profound effect
on student achievement.
High-quality education and academic
achievement are associated with
improved health outcomes later in life.
Mental and emotional health are
critical for student success.
Investing in student health leads
to short- and long-term economic
benefits.
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