Nakia C. Best
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About Nakia
Best's research examines how school nurses improve student health and education outcomes, focusing on translating evidence into policy. She builds academic and community partnerships to advance school health services and pediatric injury prevention. Best serves as Vice Chair of the City of Irvine Health & Wellness Advisory Committee and as a member of the AAP-California Injury & Violence Prevention team.
Contributions
Every Student Deserves a School Nurse
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Publications
Explores how social determinants of health influence the well-being and educational success of school-aged children and adolescents. Argues that school nurse-led interventions can help address these broader social factors, improving both health outcomes and students' ability to learn and thrive in school.
Analyzes the impact of North Carolina school nurse-to-student ratios and school nurse health services on the health and education outcomes of students receiving services for asthma and diabetes. Concludes that lower school nurse-to-student ratios and services were associated with improvements in students' health and education outcomes.
Examines patterns in health services and programs provided by school nurses between 2006 and 2016 for students in North Carolina public schools. Demonstrates that school nurses play a critical role in improving student health, supporting chronic disease management, and enhancing students' ability to succeed in school through comprehensive health services.
Examines the range of interventions provided by school nurses and the ways these services influence students' health and educational outcomes. Finds that school nurse interventions are associated with improvements in student health and academic success.