A Systematic Review of Community Engagement Outcomes Research in School‐Based Health Interventions. (12th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McMullen, Jaimie M.; George, Melissa; Ingman, Benjamin C.; Pulling Kuhn, Ann; Graham, Dan J; Carson, Russell L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 90:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 985
• Page End: 994
• Publication Date: 2020-11-12
• Subjects: community involvement -- community engagement -- school health -- Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model -- school‐community partnerships; School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12962
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Involving communities in school health has been purported as a practice integral to supporting a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) approach. Although community collaboration is often included in school‐based health initiatives, there is little research considering methods for increasing community engagement. The purpose of this study was to identify effective school‐based health interventions documenting changes in community engagement. METHODS: Academic experts and school stakeholders guided procedures for a systematic review of studies published from 1987–2017 and gray literature (ie, best practice documents; policy documents, etc.) on comprehensive school health interventions including community engagement as a targeted outcome. RESULTS: The search identified 9 studies addressing community as an outcome of school‐based health interventions; types of partnership mechanisms and partners' roles were classified. CONCLUSIONS: Although involving communities is a WSCC component and commonly recommended as a strategy fundamental to school health, there is little empirical research examining effective strategies for engaging communities and engagement is often not measured as part of intervention studies. Further measurement and research in engaging communities in school health is warranted.