Although state, local and federal governments fund some health care programs for public schoolchildren, different providers for each system mean some critical health care needs can be overlooked. Limited funding translates into less frequent diagnoses by trained health care professionals who can work directly and regularly to develop long-term relationships. Health problems can impede learning so it's particularly important for teachers to make note of how children might be affected by conditions such as diabetes, poor dental health, inadequate nutrition and asthma.
Hearing issues related to infections or more significant hearing loss may be detected by classroom teachers. Regular hearing tests can identify children with problems, but these tests are infrequent and often hurried. Vision problems leading to a professional eye exam and corrective lenses can often be suspected by the teacher before any formal screening takes place. Educators are trained to be on the alert for students with distracted behavior or learning difficulties caused by these kinds of health concerns. Visible signs of infection or illness, such as rashes or conjunctivitis, can also present in a way that a teacher who has an established relationship with the student can be entrusted to detect. Immediate reports to parents mean that the family's pediatrician can be contacted sooner before more serious problems result.
While most schools and districts keep nurses on staff for screening for common childhood ailments, some communities are exploring placement of health clinics within schools. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded school-based health center programs across the country with $80 million in federal dollars. Private funding has also supported this partnership of health care with education. On-site clinics mean children can receive prompt treatment and avoid missing school days for medical appointments. Heightening children's awareness for maintaining healthy habits can also be a benefit to locating clinics at neighborhood schools. Because the clinics stress wellness, preventive screening helps children avoid serious health problems with early treatment.
Awareness in the early stages of a child's developmental, sensory and behavioral disabilities is so critical it is mandated by the Head Start program. Caregivers and teachers are advised on procedures for regular assessment. According to the program's Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center, casual daily observation in addition to regular health screenings is important when performed by a trained educator who is familiar with the child's usual behavior.