A Fair Shot Beyond COVID-19: Education as our Public Health Priority

by Alison Balcom

Abstract: The long-term health consequences of COVID-19 school closures and associated learning losses remain largely unexplored. Researchers estimate that up to 90 percent of health outcomes are attributable to non-medial lifestyle factors known as social determinants of health. Heart disease, obesity, mental health complications, and life expectancy are all associated with education. Education is particularly important because it impacts other determinants, including employment, social support, healthcare access, and housing. New Brunswick students were out of school for nearly six months due to COVID-19 closures beginning in March of 2020. Evidence suggests that students' lost learning is equivalent to or even greater than the duration of school closures and remote learning implementation. School closures also exacerbate pre-existing inequities within populations. 
​
This research utilizes secondary data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to illustrate the troubling educational landscape for New Brunswick prior to COVID-19, project long-term health consequences of learning loss within New Brunswick, and emphasize that education must be a foremost public health priority moving forward. New Brunswick has the largest proportion of students who do not meet the literacy standard necessary for full societal participation among provinces. Interventions to mitigate learning losses may help minimize long-term health consequences for New Brunswickers. International authorities have emphasized the need for inter-sectoral collaboration to prioritize public health. As New Brunswick transitions to recovery, we need prompt consideration of the potentially devastating long-term health consequences of COVID-19 associated learning losses.