The buildings that we live, learn and work in have a greater effect on our health than many may realize. For the millions of school-aged children across the country, the state of their schools can have a lasting impact on their health and well-being. 

Lead pipes, substandard air filtration, lack of light and even bad acoustics have all proven to affect students both academically and physically. 

The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on so-called sick buildings across the country with particular attention to outdated and unhealthy school infrastructure. School districts continue to struggle to find resources to update and modernize buildings with longstanding issues.

In this episode of Exploring Your Health with Erin Billups, we visits= two school districts working to create safe and healthy environments for their students. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district in North Carolina, is struggling with outdated infrastructure, but working towards modernization. In D.C. we see the positive results of communities rallying together to invest in and improve educational infrastructure. 

Meanwhile across the country advocates are working to secure funding and federal support to create healthier educational environments for all school districts.