Learning to live: The role of education policy for improving the quality of primary and preventative healthcare in the United States

Abstract

From a policy standpoint, education and healthcare are often discussed separately in the United States. A review of the current literature reveals that education can be a strong predictor of individual health outcomes, indicating that these two spheres are most interrelated than currently recognized. The ways in which education influence health outcomes are complex and varied, and no single theory can explain the entire interaction. However, with this evidence, one can argue that US policymakers in search of healthcare interventions that improve outcomes without unbearable costs should work within education policy, recognizing that teachers in the US are also some of the country’s most cost effective preventative care providers. Potential policy targets include universal Pre-K access and improved high school graduation rates.

Keywords

• Education; educational attainment; primary care; preventative care