Abstract:

Background: 

As society continues to focus on the importance of academic achievement, the physical environment of schools should be addressed as 1 of the critical factors that influence academic outcomes. The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 provides, for the first time, a comprehensive look at the extent to which schools have health-promoting physical school environment policies and programs. Methods: 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts the SHPPS every 6 years. In 2006, computer-assisted telephone interviews or self-administered mail questionnaires were completed by state education agency personnel in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and among a nationally representative sample of school districts (n = 424). Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted with personnel in a nationally representative sample of elementary, middle, and high schools (n = 992). Results: 

One third (35.4%) of districts and 51.4% of schools had an indoor air quality management program; 35.3% of districts had a school bus engine-idling reduction program; most districts and schools had a policy or plan for how to use, label, store, dispose of, and reduce the use of hazardous materials; 24.5% of states required districts or schools to follow an integrated pest management program; and 13.4% of districts had a policy to include green design when building new school buildings or renovating existing buildings. Conclusions: 

SHPPS 2006 results can guide education and health agency actions in developing and implementing evidence-based tools, policies, programs, and interventions to ensure a safe and healthy physical school environment.

Keywords: environmental health; schools; school policy; surveys

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2007.00234.x

Affiliations: 1: Senior Policy Advisor, ( ), Office of Air and Radiation, Indoor Environments Division (6609J), US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20460., Email: axelrad.bob@epa.gov 2: Mathematical Statistician, ( ), Division of Health Studies, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS E31, Atlanta, GA 30341., Email: wwattigney@cdc.gov