Health strategies to improve high school graduation rates
Health strategies can create more positive learning environments at high schools, help high schoolers avoid risky behaviors, and improve access to physical and psychological care.
Individuals with a high school diploma (or its equivalent) are more likely to complete post-secondary education or training, obtain high-quality employment, and create stable household environments for their children.
How does high school graduation affect economic mobility?
- Graduating from high school decreases the likelihood of living in poverty. 1
Individuals who do not graduate from high school are significantly more likely to live in poverty, suffer from unemployment, experience poor health outcomes, and be incarcerated than individuals with a high school diploma.
- Individuals with a high school diploma earn more than individuals without a high school diploma. 2 3
Individuals with a high school degree but no post-secondary education earn approximately $8,000 more per year than individuals without a high school diploma, adding up to $260,000 more in lifetime earnings. Individuals who receive a GED tend to earn less than individuals with a high school diploma but more than individuals without a high school diploma or GED.
- A high school diploma is correlated with higher levels of well-being. 4
Individuals without a high school diploma are more likely to suffer from chronic disease, have unplanned pregnancies, and abuse alcohol or other substances compared to individuals who have graduated from high school.
- High school graduates are less likely to be incarcerated than individuals without a high school diploma. 5 6
Individuals without a high school diploma make up more than 80 percent of the incarcerated population of the United States. The average cost of incarceration is over $33,000 per inmate per year.
Categories of successful interventions
- Mentoring, counseling, and case management: Clinical and social supports that seek to address trauma, improve mental health, and increase general well-being
- Nutrition programs: Programs that provide healthy breakfast and lunch options to students for free or reduced prices
- Sexual health programs: School-based programs that seek to reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents and teenagers
Evidence-based interventions
Intervention | Type | Category | Evidence Level |
---|---|---|---|
Behavioral interventions to prevent STIs | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Community schools | Strategy |
|
Strong (second-highest tier) |
Comprehensive risk reduction sexual education | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Cross-age youth mentoring | Strategy |
|
Strong (second-highest tier) |
Dropout prevention programs | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Dropout prevention programs for teen mothers | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Extracurricular activities | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Green space and parks | Policy |
|
Strong (second-highest tier) |
Juvenile diversion programs | Strategy |
|
Strong (second-highest tier) |
Long-acting reversible contraception access | Strategy |
|
Strong (second-highest tier) |
Mentoring programs for delinquency | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Mentoring programs for high school graduation | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Multi-component school-based obesity prevention programs | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Multisystemic therapy for juvenile offenders | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Places for physical activity | Policy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Restorative justice programs | Strategy |
|
Strong (second-highest tier) |
Safe Routes to School | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
School breakfast programs | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
School dental programs | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
School fruit and vegetable gardens | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
School-based health centers | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
School-based social emotional instruction | Policy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
School-based violence and bullying prevention programs | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
School-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Targeted truancy interventions | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Too Good for Drugs and Violence | Program |
|
Proven (highest tier) |
Trauma-informed schools | Strategy |
|
Strong (second-highest tier) |
Treatment for serious juvenile offenders | Strategy |
|
Proven (highest tier) |