Schools are in a unique position to address social determinants of health (SDOH) in pediatric asthma management because of their potential to provide resources and facilitate collaboration with healthcare providers and services for children at risk within their community. SDOH. SDOH include economic factors, educational attainment and health literacy, neighborhood factors and the built environment, social and community aspects including discrimination and racism, and healthcare access and quality. These factors have a significant impact on asthma health in children, and certain populations such as minoritzed populations and those living in high poverty environments have been shown to be at greater risk for adverse effects of SDOH on asthma outcomes. School-based asthma programs address several SDOH including health literacy, the built environment, and healthcare quality and access and have been shown to improve asthma outcomes. Key components include connection between the school and health care team, self-management education, and directly observed therapy. School nurses play a key role in directing and managing effective programs as they can evaluate and support a student’s health while considering the effect SDOH at interpersonal, institutional, community and policy levels.
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