American School Health Association (ASHA)

The American School Health Association was founded as the American Association of School Physicians on October 27, 1927 by 325 physicians at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Cincinnati, Ohio. Original members represented 29 states as well as Canada. The first president of the association was William A. Howe, M.D. from Buffalo, New York. Interest in the association grew so rapidly that in 1936 the association opened its membership to all professionals interested in promoting school health and officially changed its name to The American School Health Association.

The American School Health Association is a multidisciplinary organization made up of administrators, counselors, dietitians, nutritionists, health educators, physical educators, psychologists, school health coordinators, school nurses, school physicians, and social workers. Collectively, ASHA is working to lead efforts to prioritize school-based approaches that promote lifelong health, build a community to support the whole child, and activate champions of school health.

Mission:
Their mission is to transform all schools into places where every student learns and thrives.

The American School Health Association envisions healthy students who learn and achieve in safe and healthy environments nurtured by caring adults functioning within coordinated school and community support systems.

Vision:
They envision healthy students who learn and achieve in a safe and healthy environment nurtured by caring adults functioning within coordinated school and community support systems.