Adolescent and School Health

Adolescence is a critical period for physical, mental, and social development, with school playing a central role in shaping young people’s well-being. The experiences students have and the supports they receive in school settings have lasting impacts on academic success and lifelong health.

To advance evidence-based school health strategies, ASTHO works closely with state and territorial health agencies who are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts — through their ability to convene partners, align funding, collect and use population-level data, and translate evidence into action. ASTHO’s work focuses on policy, systems, and environmental approaches that strengthen partnerships across public health, education, Medicaid, and community-based organizations, while centering youth voices.

Through technical assistance, capacity building, and peer-to-peer learning, ASTHO helps jurisdictions build sustainable approaches that support healthy, inclusive school environments. It supports agencies in leveraging their leadership to ensure schools are not only places of learning but environments that actively promote health, belonging, and opportunity for all students.