Why Education Matters to Health

Education shapes lives and is key to lifting people out of poverty and reducing socioeconomic and political inequalities. Not only does education offer individuals the chance to learn, but also provides opportunities to obtain the social skills to thrive as adults. Consequently, of all the social determinants, education may be the most widely recognized as directly influencing the health and wellbeing of individuals.

There are many innovative solutions to providing the best education to all our children. The community school movement is just one approach. We also profile the Magic City Acceptance Academy in Birmingham, Alabama that offers a safe and nurturing environment to LGBTQ+ middle- and high-school students. Whether building greater opportunity for education equity, literacy, health literacy, or advanced education, educators and communities are working together to ensure that all children have the tools to live up to their full potential.