School-based Health Clinics Fill The Gap in ‘Medical Deserts’

It’s commonly understood: if kids are sick, they can’t learn well. But children in poor communities often lack access to medical care. So, kids either go to school sick or stay home until their parents can take them to the doctor. Now, Atlanta Public Schools is trying to fill the void by opening health clinics at five schools

All five are full-service medical centers, with doctors, nurses and dentists on staff. Kids can get immunizations, checkups and teeth cleanings. District Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said the idea is to maximize the amount of time a child spends in school.

“Kids can’t come to school if they don’t feel well,” Carstarphen said at a ribbon cutting for Toomer Elementary School’s health center last spring. “Absenteeism is a really serious issue. So, our job is to try to figure out ways to circumvent any reason for a kid not to come to school.”