HI SCR99

Department of Health requested to convene an interdepartmental working group to address the lack of consolidated, consistent health screening programs in public schools for children in Hawaii.

Working group membership includes representatives from Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of Education, Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Project Vision Hawaii, Hawaii Lions Foundation, Hawaii Dental Service, and health care providers including pediatricians, eye care professionals, audiologists, dentists, and behavioral health specialists.

Hawaii has the highest prevalence of tooth decay in third grade children at 71 percent (compared to national average of 52 percent), 29 percent of high school children have not visited a dentist in 12 months, and more than 60 percent of children lack protective dental sealants.

Approximately 35 percent of children have never seen an eye care professional despite approximately one in five children needing glasses, and one out of seven children ages two to eight have been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.

Working group required to submit draft report to Legislative Reference Bureau by September 1, 2019, and final report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation by twenty days prior to the 2020 Regular Session.