New Partners, New Tools, New Possibilities: Views From the Fields of Education and Public Health

School-based programs should be a key component of a comprehensive community health promotion agenda. Youth who are ill, are physically inactive, use tobacco, or use other drugs are unlikely to succeed in school. Furthermore, the burden that chronic diseases place on our nation’s medical and economic systems will likely worsen unless we in public health are able to prevent the risk among our young people (1). Our nation’s 121,000 schools can play a critically important role in improving the health of children and adolescents. School-based health promotion programs also can have a positive impact on the academic performance, quality of life, and economic productivity of students (2).