The following special report was developed by the staff of the Division of Maternal and Child Health, Bureau of Health Care Delivery and Assistance, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as background material for a conference on “Health of School‐age Children” conducted in March 1982 by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing in conjunction with the Division of Maternal and Child Health. The American School Health Association believes there is an urgent need to communicate the issues and concerns expressed in the special report to those members who have responsibility in the field for providing leadership in the planning and implementation of programs for school‐age children and youth. TheJournal of School Healthis pleased to have the opportunity to present this special report to its rea