Can School-Based Health Services Reduce Absenteeism and Dropping Out of School?

Studies have shown that a high school diploma, and preferably some post-high school education, is essential to economic success for most individuals in American society today. With large numbers of adolescents having excessive absenteeism or dropping out of school, programs are being developed to address these issues. The author examines what is known about the impact of health on absenteeism and dropping out, and the effects of programs that have tried to address these problems.