Essential Strategies for School Nurses to Move Upstream in Support of Healthy Students and a Healthy Planet

Abstract

Human health is dependent on the health of the planet. Overwhelming evidence indicates that environmental degradation and climate change is negatively affecting planetary health and is on a worsening trajectory. The health of our children, especially those who live in poverty, suffer from chronic disease, or are otherwise disadvantaged, will benefit most from successful efforts to change this trajectory or will suffer the most if we do nothing. School nurses, members of the largest and most trusted group of healthcare providers, have a professional and ethical obligation to address environmental degradation and the impact on our students and communities. Research suggests that knowledge about climate change and the associated health impacts are positively correlated to school nurses’ attitudes and behaviors. This article aims to raise school nurse awareness, understanding, and agency regarding the possible trajectories of environmental degradation, implications to the health and well-being of current and future generations of children, and evidence-based actions to positively influence the trajectory. The Framework for 21st Century School Nurse Practice™ advocates a practice model that is student centered and provides a mind-set for school nursing to approach the topic of planetary and environmental health.

Achieving the educational mission: Are Connecticut school nurses valued?

“…The value school nurses bring to meet the mission is that being with students every day positions them to be first to recognize undiagnosed health conditions and foresee pressing community concerns that affect the health of students and families (Denke & Winkleblack, 2020;Morse et al, 2023). Additionally, school nurses influence upstream social issues known to be detrimental to health by informing local authorities and policymakers about neighborhood social determinants of health, such as food BATTEN | 1515 insecurity, housing, or transportation (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021;Reiner & Haas-Howard, 2022). These far-reaching accountabilities make them critical for advancing health equity and indispensable to the community they serve.…”

Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses of School-Age Children

“…School nurses are ideally situated to identify health conditions, prescription drugs, and additional determinants of health that make school-age children more susceptible to climate-associated illnesses and tailor care plans accordingly (National Association of School Nurses [NASN], 2021; Oerther et al, 2022; Reiner & Haas-Howard, 2022; Sorensen et al, 2023). In addition, school nurses may be instrumental in determining social and environmental conditions that make school-age children more susceptible to the health impacts of climate change (NASN, 2021; Reiner & Haas-Howard, 2022). For instance, school nurses could advocate for and describe the health benefits of improved air quality for children with asthma who may be exposed to wildfire smoke at school.…”

“…The perspectives of school nurses are also crucial for developing climate-related policies, coalitions, and educational training at local and global levels (NASN, 2021; Reiner & Haas-Howard, 2022). For instance, school nurses can inform elected officials about climate-associated illnesses; they can write opinion editorials for newspapers and give expert testimony to support legislative bills that address climate-associated illnesses.…”

“…ASXXX10.1177/1942602X231190409NASN School NurseNASN School Nurse research-article2023 Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses of School-Age Children Sarah Oerther, PhD, MEd, RN, FNP-BC, ANEF January 2024 39(1) | NASN School Nurse 19The Role of the School Nurse School nurses are ideally situated to identify health conditions, prescription drugs, and additional determinants of health that make school-age children more susceptible to climate-associated illnesses and tailor care plans accordingly (National Association of School Nurses [NASN], 2021;Oerther et al, 2022;Reiner & Haas-Howard, 2022;Sorensen et al, 2023). In addition, school nurses may be instrumental in determining social and environmental conditions that make school-age children more susceptible to the health impacts of climate change(NASN, 2021;Reiner & Haas-Howard, 2022). For instance, school nurses could advocate for and describe the health benefits of improved air quality for children asthma who may be exposed to wildfire smoke at school.…”

“…Finally, school nurses can explain ways climate-susceptible school-age children can decrease climate-associated health risks. For example, school nurses can educate parents on pest-related diseases like Alpha-gal syndrome (galactose-α-1,3-galactose), allergies, unintentional injuries, and overall poor mental health associated with climate change(CDC, 2022;Oerther et al, 2022;Sorensen et al, 2023).The perspectives of school nurses are also crucial for developing climaterelated policies, coalitions, and educational training at local and global levels(NASN, 2021;Reiner & Haas- Howard, 2022). For instance, school nurses can inform elected officials about climate-associated illnesses; they can write opinion editorials for newspapers and give expert testimony to support legislative bills that address climateassociated illnesses.…”