Expanding Child Health Screenings Through School–Community Partnerships

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Child health screenings are a critical, but often overlooked, aspect of children's medical care. School–community partnerships to conduct screenings and ensure that diagnostic follow-up and treatment occur can help achieve optimal child health outcomes. Such partnerships also serve to mitigate the impact of social determinants of health on children's well-being, address health disparities, and promote health equity. This article reviews four essential childhood health screenings—vision, hearing, dental, and mental health—and discusses how schools and community partners can collaborate to offer these screenings.