The negative consequences of dropping out of high school are well-known. A high school diploma provides a foundation for opportunities in post-secondary education and the labor market. In today’s economy, high school completion is one of the first credentials used to screen applicants for employment. High school graduates have higher average incomes than workers without high school diplomas.
In 2012, over 2,000 African American 9-12 graders dropped out of St. Louis city and county high schools. That is one out of every 10 African-American students, and the economic impact means tens of millions of dollars in lost income, foregone spending and tax revenues combined.
But why is it that every year thousands of African-American students in our region drop out? Local researchers suggest that health may be part of the answer.
In a recent brief released by a group of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University, it was reported that health influences students’ ability to complete high school.
Three health-related paths could lead to high school dropout.
First, childhood illnesses that continue through high school limit the ability of students to complete their education. African-American teenagers’ rate of emergency room visits for asthma was seven times higher when compared to white teenagers. Asthma symptoms harm sleep patterns and hurt academic outcomes of children living in urban communities.
The effects of childhood illnesses on learning and school completion depend on students’ access to medical care and utilization of health care services. Coordinated school health programs for young people living in poverty should be a part of the strategy to support their wellbeing and high school completion.
Another challenge influencing the school experience is mental health. Nationally, one in five students experience mental problems. Local teenagers experiencing mental health problems are at great risk for school dropout if they are not identified and treated. Access to psychological services supports both the health and learning of these young people.
Yet, access to these services for young people in the region is uneven. In addition, some African-American parents are reluctant to seek out mental health services for their children because of the stigma and other misconceptions associated with mental health. Our community must counter myths about mental health with credible information and resources, and we must increase access to mental health treatment.
The third health-related pathway involves risky behaviors for teenagers. Low grades and failing classes can increase these risky behaviors, like early experimentation with alcohol and other substances, and unsafe sexual practices. Eventually, these behaviors may lead to health problems, including drug dependence and unplanned pregnancy, and students experiencing these difficult challenges often drop out.
Educators and health care experts are working together to address many of these health problems. They are looking at the relationship between health and education in a different way. We know that people with higher levels of education tend to have better health outcomes. Now we see that health is also influencing ability of students to learn and graduate from high school.
High school completion benefits both the student and society. Helping students in our region to complete school is a necessary component of our region’s social and economic viability, and will require community collaboration and support. In the context of the current debate over the proper provision of health care, we need to recognize that health goes far beyond the prevention of illness. It can also influence how and whether children complete their education and become contributing members of our society.
Visit www.forthesakeofall.org for more information about the Washington University and Saint Louis University project on the health and well-being of African Americans in St. Louis.
