Millions of U.S. children faced prolonged Absenteeism absences from school due to injury, illness, or disability, with recent data revealing that white and Hispanic children and those from low-income households were disproportionately affected.
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Absenteeism
The report, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, unveiled significant findings on the extent of chronic absenteeism among school children.
In 2022, approximately 5.8% of children aged 5 to 17 missed at least 15 days of school due to health-related issues, totaling around 3 million students. Boys and girls showed similar rates of absenteeism, with no significant differences across age groups. However, disparities emerged among racial and socioeconomic groups, with non-Hispanic white and Hispanic children exhibiting higher rates of chronic absenteeism compared to Black and Asian children. Moreover, children from households with lower incomes experienced greater absenteeism than those from more affluent families.
The report highlighted the substantial impact of disability and health status on absenteeism, revealing that children with disabilities and those in poorer health were significantly more likely to miss school chronically. Such absenteeism poses serious concerns for academic performance, school engagement, and long-term educational outcomes, including increased risk of dropout.
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these concerns, with hundreds of thousands of students reported missing from public schools across multiple states. Stanford University’s analysis further indicated a sharp increase in chronic absenteeism during the pandemic years, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and support.
Efforts to address chronic absenteeism include targeted interventions such as early warning systems, outreach initiatives, and telehealth services. However, systemic challenges, including limited access to healthcare for families, continue to hinder progress in improving school attendance rates. Initiatives promoting school-based health resources, including nurses and clinics, are essential in addressing absenteeism and supporting children’s well-being and educational attainment.
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