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Report Links Academic Achievement to
Student Health
“Research Review: School-based Health Interventions and Academic
Achievement” analyzes data from Washington’s 2006 Healthy Youth
Survey. The report looks at 13 health risk factors and
cross-references them with self-reported grades. It confirms what
educators and parents have suspected for a long time: healthier kids
get better grades. The more health risks students have, the more
likely they will do poorly in school. Each health risk has an
independent effect, so eliminating even one can improve a student’s
success in school. The report also shows a similar pattern between
health and achievement gaps based on race and poverty.
The report lists
evidence-based health interventions that can improve academic
performance. It also makes a strong case for delivering health
programs in a comprehensive way that addresses the school
environment, instruction, and supportive services.
This report was issued
jointly with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and
the Department of Health.
Press Release
Board held hearing on HIV
counseling and testing rule
At its November 4 meeting in SeaTac, the Board
adopted a rule relating to HIV counseling, testing and partner
notification service. The Board also decided to open
rule making on its food service rule and heard a briefing on its
on-site sewage rules. Other items on the agenda included an update
on the newborn screening program and discussions on a proposed
strategic plan for the 2009-11 biennium.
Meeting materials
are available.
Swine flu information
State, local, and federal health officials are investigating
several cases of a new strain of flu, H1N1. For more information,
visit the Department's
Web site or CDC's
Web site.
Board held hearing on sewage tank design
rules; approved eye treatment rule for newborns
At its October 14 meeting in Olympia, the Board
adopted a new rule that will govern sewage tank
design and construction. It also reconsidered and approved rule language
concerning preventive eye treatment for newborns. This
reconsideration was prompted by a national shortage of Erythromycin
eye ointment. Proposed amendments will allow healthcare providers to
use other treatments recommended by the CDC.
The Board also discussed several other rules:
water recreation facilities; HIV counseling, testing, and partner
services; school immunizations; and birth certificate information
requests. It will also discussed a proposed strategic plan for the
2009-11 biennium. Meeting materials
are available.
Governor appoints Keith Higman as
chair, reappoints Patricia Ortiz
On September 11, Governor Gregoire appointed Keith
Higman as Chair of the Board through July 1, 2010. Mr. Higman
has been on the Board since October 2004 and currently serves as the
Director of the Island County Health Department. The Governor also
reappointed Patricia Ortiz to her second term which will continue
until July 1, 2012. Dr. Ortiz joined the Board in September
2006 and currently works as a family practice physician at the
Wenatchee Valley Medical Center.
The Board currently has a vacant consumer
representative position.
More information available.
Board adopts school environmental health and safety rule
At its August 12 meeting in Olympia, the Board adopted
a revised update to its school environmental health and
safety rule. The Board added language to the rule proposal to
reflect statutory limitations on implementing the revised rules
unless state funding is provided. Other changes to the proposal
allow the existing school environmental health and safety rule to
remain in effect until the new provisions may be implemented.
Meeting materials
are available.
Board held hearing on eye treatment
for newborns
At its July 8 meeting in Port Hadlock, the Board
adopted a proposal to modify the rule relating
to preventive eye treatment for newborns. The Board also
discussed a petition for rule making on the keeping of animals and heard
updates on group B drinking water systems and the school
environmental health and safety rule.
Meeting materials
are available.
Board considered adoption of school
environmental health and safety rule
At its June 10 meeting in Olympia, the Board adopted
a motion to further amend the proposed update to its school
environmental health and safety rule. The Board directed staff to
add language to the rule proposal to reflect statutory limitations
on implementing the new rules.
The Department of Health briefed the Board on emergency rule making
for provisional condition notification of H1N1 Influenza A virus
("swine flu") infections. The Board also approved a request from the
Department of Health to delegate rule making for lead and copper
rule requirements for Group A public drinking water supplies. Other
items on the agenda included a briefing on the status of clandestine
drug lab rule making and a review of the 2009 legislative session.
Meeting materials
are available.
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