School Nurses as Safe Routes to School Champions: Improving the Built Environment and Increasing Physical Activity

This article describes how the percentage of students walking and bicycling school dramatically declined for 41% to 15% from 1969 to 2001. At the same time, the percentage of children being driven or driving themselves to school nearly tripled, from 20% to 55%. These changes in the trip to school have a significant impact on several children's health issues. The article discusses how the leadership of school nurses helps to ensure that schools apply for federal Safe Routes to School funds and that these funds are effectively used to get more children walking and bicycling to and from school and on the path to a more active and healthier lifestyle. Language: en