Make America Healthy Again.
Rebuild youth health through affordable access to wellness, education, and nutrition.
Children’s health outcomes have worsened in recent decades due to rising obesity, mental‑health challenges, and unequal access to care, all while costs skyrocket. School‐based health centers (SBHCs) and telemedicine have demonstrated strong returns on investment, reducing absenteeism and improving preventive care. Public‑private partnerships can expand these models sustainably. By combining nutrition reform, physical education enhancements, and digital health tools, “Make America Healthy Again” seeks to establish affordable, scalable wellness programs in every K–12 school, ensuring our youth receive the care they deserve.
Table of Contents
The Health Crisis Facing K–12 Students
America’s youth are in the midst of a chronic health emergency. In 2017–2018, one in five school‑aged children (ages 6–11) were obese, with similar rates among adolescents. Obesity increases risks for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and early cardiovascular disease—conditions once confined to adults. Mental‑health challenges mirror this trend: school‑based suicide‑prevention programs have proven cost‑effective in reducing crises, but such initiatives remain underfunded.
Meanwhile, children from low‑income families face the steepest barriers: they experience higher obesity rates and have the least access to preventive services. Rural communities often lack pediatric clinics, forcing families to travel miles for basic care, or forego it altogether.
Financial Barriers & Cost of Inaction
Left unchecked, poor childhood health translates to billions in future healthcare costs. One elementary school’s telehealth program (7,164 student‑observations) cost $189,000/year yet yielded a net benefit of $195,873 through reduced absences and improved outcomes.
Despite clear ROI, only 19% of SBHCs offered telehealth services as of 2016–17—up from 7% a decade earlier—highlighting slow adoption. Public and private grants often fund non‑billable services, but sustainability demands broader funding models and partnerships.
Proven Solutions: School‑Based Health & Nutrition
1. Expand School‑Based Health Centers
SBHCs deliver comprehensive care—physical exams, immunizations, mental‑health counseling—right on campus. These centers reached over 2.5 million students in 2017, improving immunization rates and chronic‑disease management.
2. Integrate Telemedicine
Telehealth in SBHCs reduces absenteeism by 7.7% (0.6 days/year) and cuts costs substantially, making specialist consultations accessible to remote districts.
3. Improve School Nutrition
Legislative reforms—such as the Healthy, Hunger‑Free Kids Act—led to declines in childhood BMI across income and age groups. Spain’s recent mandate for daily fruits/vegetables and weekly fish service offers a model for integrating nutrition standards globally.
4. Strengthen Physical Education
Regular physical activity correlates with better academic performance and lower obesity rates. Evidence shows well‑structured physical programs can yield a medium effect size (g = 0.52) in reducing BMI z‑scores.
5. Forge Public‑Private Partnerships
Private entities can help build and sustain health infrastructure through P3 models, offering efficiency and financial backing while public agencies set standards and oversight. The WHO endorses PPPs to leverage private capital and expertise in health system strengthening.
The “Make America Healthy Again” Initiative
Our Vision: Every K–12 student—regardless of ZIP code—has access to coordinated health services, nutritious meals, and robust wellness education in their school.
Key Components:
SBHC Expansion Fund: Grants to establish or upgrade on‑site health centers in underserved schools.
Telehealth Grants: Subsidies for remote consult equipment and broadband access.
Nutrition Partnerships: Collaborations with local farms to supply fresh produce and trained dieticians for menu planning.
Physical Education Grants: Funding for certified PE instructors and after‑school fitness programs.
Data & Accountability Portal: A public dashboard tracking SBHC locations, telehealth usage, and health outcomes in real time.
How You Can Help
- Donate Today: Your support helps build SBHCs and telehealth hubs in high‑need schools.
Advocate Locally: Urge school boards and state legislatures to adopt our wellness standards.
Partner with Us: Corporations and foundations can sponsor Nutrition Partnerships and grants.
Share Our Story: Amplify this initiative on social media and in your community networks.
Together, we can reverse the health crisis facing our children.
Join this initiative.
Let’s move from outrage to action. Let’s lead from the Forefront.
