Chronic Health Conditions and Student Performance at School
Abstract
To review the state of research on the association between common chronic health conditions and academic outcomes, the authors reviewed published studies investigating the association of school attendance, cognitive ability, and achievement with a number of chronic diseases. Tables with brief descriptions of each study's research methods and outcomes are included. Research reveals evidence that diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and epilepsy affect student achievement and ability. Levels of academic deficiency and specific areas of cognitive impairment are not as well understood. Many chronic conditions are not well researched. Suggestions for further research and recommendations for educators and health practitioners are provided.
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Diabetes is linked to decreased attention and lower test scores.
“diabetes is linked to decreased attention and lower test scores,61,62”
From Critical connections: health and academics (2015) · cites this paper as [62]
Epilepsy is linked to lower intelligence.
“epilepsy to lower intelligence,62”
From Critical connections: health and academics (2015) · cites this paper as [62]
Sickle cell anemia is linked to lower cognitive functioning.
“sickle cell anemia to lower cognitive functioning.62”
From Critical connections: health and academics (2015) · cites this paper as [62]
These adverse child health outcomes are associated with impaired functioning and lower academic performance.
“that are also associated with impaired functioning and lower academic performance13, 14”
From The relation between cesarean birth and child cognitive development (2017) · cites this paper as [13]
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Critical connections: health and academics
Michael, S. L., Merlo, C. L., Basch, C. E., Wentzel, K. R., & Wechsler, H. (2015) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/josh.12309 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
The relation between cesarean birth and child cognitive development
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Does academic achievement during childhood and adolescence benefit later health?
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- Authors
- Taras, H., & Potts-Datema, W.
- Affiliations
- University of California San Diego (US)
- ORCID
- Taras, Howard
- Venue
- Journal of School Health
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-09
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 255-266
- ISSN
- 0022-4391 (ISSN-L)
- 1746-1561
- OpenAlex
- W2147045830
- Cited by
- 190
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 2.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of School Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
- Social Sciences › Education › Educational Outcomes and Influences
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Keywords
- chronic disease, academic performance, school attendance, cognitive impairment, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, epilepsy, academic deficiencies, children with chronic illness
- MeSH terms
- Absenteeism, Achievement, Adolescent, Anemia, Sickle Cell, Child, Chronic Disease, Cognition, Diabetes Mellitus, Education, Epilepsy, Humans, Students, United States
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