Local News
Fayette to explore school health centers
A “State of the Children in Fayette County” study indicated that children in certain areas of northern Fayette County (in red) are less likely to have access to regular health care. Courtesy Fayette FACTOR
Studies relating children’s health to their education success are prompting Fayette County to consider the feasibility of school-based health centers.
Head Nurse Debbie King briefed the Board of Education recently about the link between school performance and hunger, chronic illness and physical or emotional abuse. King cited a study showing that nearly 6,000 children, primarily in northern Fayette, live in areas considered to have “very low child well-being,” and often lack health insurance.
The county is considering forming a community advisory board to explore school-based centers that would provide primary care and treatment funded by foundations, grants and community healthcare systems.
