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. 2021 Jan-Feb;82(1):50-56.
doi: 10.18043/ncm.82.1.50.

Impact of COVID-19-related School Closures on the Drivers of Child Health

Angelique E Boutzoukas  1 , Ibukunoluwa C Akinboyo  2 , Charlene A Wong  3 , Daniel K Benjamin Jr  4 , Kanecia O Zimmerman  5
Affiliations

Impact of COVID-19-related School Closures on the Drivers of Child Health

Angelique E Boutzoukas et al. N C Med J. 2021 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in large-scale school closures in an effort to reduce the spread of disease. This article reviews the potential impact of COVID-19-related school closures on the health of children in North Carolina, with particular attention to the impact of school closures on drivers of child health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures

AE Boutzoukas has no conflicts of interest.

IC Akinboyo has no conflicts of interest.

C Wong reports working as a contractor for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on the COVID-19 response.

DK Benjamin Jr. receives support from the National Institutes of Health (award 2K24HD058735–10), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HHSN275201000003I), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (HHSN272201500006I), ECHO Program (1U2COD023375–02), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (1U24TR001608–03); he also receives research support from Cempra Pharmaceuticals (subaward to HHSO100201300009C) and industry for neonatal and pediatric drug development, www.dcri.duke.edu/research/coi.jsp.

KO Zimmerman receives support from the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (K23 HD091398, HHSN275201000003I), the United States Food and Drug Administration (UG3/UH3 FD 006797), the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Award (KL2TR001115–03), and industry for neonatal and pediatric drug development, (www.dcri.duke.edu/research/coi.jsp).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Impact of COVID-19-related School Closures on the Drivers of Child Health
This figure illustrates the impact of COVID-19-related school closures on the drivers of child health, which include food and nutrition, physical activity, race and socioeconomics, and healthcare access.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Accessibility to Internet and Devices in North Carolina Homes
This figure illustrates how a striking number of children, as well as some teachers, are impacted by inadequate internet connectivity or lack of digital devices that support at-home learning.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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