Integrating Physical Activity into School-based Eye Health Services: A Policy and Development Study / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the theories, content and approaches of integrating physical activity in children's eye health service system in the context of health services. Methods From the perspectives of six building blocks of WHO health system, namely, leadership and governance, financing, human resources for health, service delivery, medical technology, and health information system, we analyzed the policy framework and key contents related to school-based eye health and physical activity, and explored how to promote the implementation of physical activity into the school-based eye health service system, and the integration of physical activity into the eye health continuum: prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and health promotion. Results In perspective of health system, the integration of physical activity into school-based eye health services should be in accordance with the five principles of cross-cutting health services, namely, universal accessibility and equity, human rights, evidence-based, life-span, and empowerment. According to the World Vision Report, WHO advocates to build a person-centered eye health service system, and person-centeredness is the core concept of the new model of school-based eye health services and physical activity integration. WHO advocates a school-based approach to education and physical activity in health-promoting schools to promote student health, physical activity as a preventive, interventional, rehabilitation and health promotive measure related to children's eye health, and vigorously train professionals within schools who have knowledge and skills related to physical activity and eye health, build an information system on physical activity and children's eye health, and promote the integration of physical activity into the school-based eye health service system. Conclusion Physical activity is an important measure to promote children's eye health and an important component to achieve a person-centered eye health service system. Based on the six building blocks of the WHO health service system, a school-based eye health service that integrates a theoretical and methodological system of physical activity is constructed, requiring the provision of health promotion methods such as education and physical activity in the school setting, to enhance leadership and governance of eye health services based on educational and physical activity approaches in the school setting, establish new funding mechanisms, provide financial security, develop human resources related to physical activity for eye health, improve related service delivery systems, develop high-quality physical activity intervention eye health techniques and equipment, and integrate information on children's physical activity and eye health into school health information systems to achieve children's eye health and promote their physical and mental development.