Which intervention would most effectively improve health outcomes in low-resource schools?

Providing resources for student wellness programs is a highly effective intervention for improving health outcomes in low-resource schools because it directly addresses the holistic well-being of students. Wellness programs can incorporate various aspects of health, including nutrition education, mental health support, physical activity, and social-emotional learning. By fostering an environment that prioritizes overall wellness, students are likely to perform better academically, experience fewer behavioral issues, and develop healthier habits that can last a lifetime.

Investing in wellness programs creates a supportive network that can help mitigate the challenges faced in low-resource environments. These programs often include health screenings, preventive care education, and partnerships with local health services, which can significantly enhance access to necessary health resources for students and their families.

While other options like enhancing academic subjects, providing after-school activities, or focusing solely on structural repairs may contribute positively to the school environment, they do not directly target health issues as comprehensively as wellness programs do. Improvements in academic subjects may not yield significant health benefits without addressing the underlying wellness needs of students, and after-school sports, although beneficial, might not encompass the broader aspects of health that wellness programs tackle. Structural repairs, while important for a safe environment, do not inherently improve health outcomes without the integration of wellness-focused initiatives.