Impact Story
School-Based Wellness with DFSC
About the Organization
Diabetes is a critical health issue in South Carolina, and — as with most critical diseases — early intervention is absolutely crucial. With this in mind, Diabetes Free SC (DFSC) is investing in school-based wellness to build healthier environments for kids. DFSC was founded in 2020 by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier SC and the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (now the South Carolina Department of Public Health) to address the issue with clinical data to measure and improve outcomes.
Program Goals
Working with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Medical University of South Carolina's Boeing Center for Children's Wellness, DFSC is delivering evidence-based clinical lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity programs to kids where they already are. In the end, DFSC aims to scale this knowledge across the entire state, training physicians to better prevent and treat childhood obesity.
Children attending participating schools were 12% less likely to be categorized as overweight or obese.
Results
Schools are embedding physical activity and nutrition into daily life with initiatives like school gardens and walking classrooms. School districts are being enabled with powerful wellness frameworks with custom school wellness checklists, wellness committees and program coordinators for hands-on support.
The results are broad, with impact not only on a child's health but on their school career.
- A child attending a participating school was at least 12% less likely to be categorized as overweight or obese.
- Schools saw a 15% increase in graduation rates.
- Attendance rates went up by .5%
- Suspension and expulsion rates decreased by 77%
