South Carolina's School-Based Wellness Initiative Sees Significant Health Gains

Transforming student health in South Carolina is no easy task, but a village of partners has come together to make a significant impact. The Medical University of South Carolina's Boeing Center for Children's Wellness has partnered with schools and districts to integrate health and wellness strategies for students and staff.

The School-based Wellness Initiative involves working with school districts and nearly 300 schools across the state, with a focus on seven key pillars: getting started, nutrition, physical activity, social emotional wellness, wellness culture, staff wellness, and sustainability.

According to Sarah Piwinski, director of the Boeing Center, schools are where kids spend most of their waking hours, making them an ideal place to start when it comes to positively impacting children's health. The key to success lies in integrating health and wellness into the culture of a school, rather than just adding another requirement for staff.

The initiative has seen significant results, including a decrease in average student BMI between 2014-2019 compared to non-participating schools, as well as a reduction in asthma-related urgent care visits and hospitalizations by Charleston County students. High school graduation rates and attendance have also increased for participating schools.

Piwinski encourages other children's hospitals and health systems to pursue their own school partnerships, even if they start small, as 'small-scale doesn't mean small impact.'