We know that health issues–whether asthma, dental problems or depression–can contribute to school absenteeism. A new report issued today in Oregon discusses how the converse is true: Absenteeism contributes to lower educational success, which predicts a life time of bad health.

The Connection Between Missing School and Health by Upstream Public Health looks “upstream” at factors in communities, at home, and at schools that lead to chronic absenteeism.

The report reviews data and research on student absences – finding that unexpected factors such as unstable housing, fear of bullying, and punitive school discipline policies as well as health conditions such as hunger, dental pain, respiratory illness, and depression contribute to absenteeism.

via Chronic Absenteeism as a Public Health Issue « Attendance Works Attendance Works.