Education and/as social determinants of health: Research linking educational and health inequalities

This presentation discusses findings from two youth community based participatory research (CBPR) studies in New York City on the impact of educational policy and schooling conditions on health. Together they aim to understand the ways in which social inequalities in education and policy contribute to health inequalities. Education is not only a significant predictor of lifecourse health, but it is itself a social determinant of health. Given that the United States is facing a “graduation rate crisis,” educational practices and policies that contribute to school dropout and disparities in educational achievement pose substantial public health threats. Drawing from ecological and lifecourse health models, these studies find that experiences students have in schools directly impact health and development, above and beyond health effects that educational attainment confer. Understanding how a) students experience their schools, b) educational policy affects health, and c) social inequalities in education manifest in health disparities are essential improving health outcomes along the educational gradient of health. The first study/presenter examines the ways in which schooling is embodied. Findings reveal that social and environmental determinants of health operate within schools, and that educational policy and practices affect student physical, emotional, mental, sexual and social health. The second study/presenter examines ecological and contextual factors that influence social inequalities in school. Findings highlight student experiences of the school-to-prison pipeline and educational policies of criminalization, surveillance, discipline and “safety” – all of which have negative implications for individual and institutional health. Solutions to improve health inequalities and policy implications will be discussed.