Current health status of primary school students: a literature review

Aim. To assess the health status of primary school stu­dents by the literature review and to analyze current direc­tions in the prevention and treatment of their diseases.

Ma­terials and Methods. We screened the relevant studies in Russian and English which were published from 2004 to 2024 using eLIBRARY.ru, CyberLeninka, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The search keywords were "primary school students", "primary school", "schoolchildren's health", "children's health", "mental health of schoolchildren", and "physical health of schoolchildren".

Results. Currently, health indicators of primary school stu­dents are still declining. Among the most common diseas­es are musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, re­spiratory diseases, decreased visual acuity, dental diseases, and mental disorders. Literature analysis revealed that the scientific community is focused on developing preventive and therapeutic interventions to enhance the health of prima­ry school students. Identifying and meeting the physical and mental health needs of students may significantly improve their academic performance and future professional activity.

Conclusion. Schools can serve as a key platform for promot­ing healthy behaviours among children, as students spend a significant portion of their time in school and are subjected to its strong influence on their health. Schools can also be an important resource for collecting research data and im­plementing health-related preventive measures. Maintaining the health of primary school students requires collaborative efforts of schools, parents, communities, and relevant author­ities.

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