September 8, 2026 The combined academic, health, emotional, and relational wellbeing benefits that students can experience when engaged in whole health learning practices are still not yet well known or understood in many precincts where U.S. child health, education and communities policy initiatives are put together. A core task of WholeHealthED’s mission is to change this as fast as possible. That intention led in the early summer of 2026 to the creation of this unique Joint Statement first released in June and updated as of this date. Which we do with extreme gratitude to colleagues who have added add their signatures. The Joint Statement Signatories are members of Practitioner, Education, Pediatric, and Research Communities The Research Purpose In addition to elevating policy and public awareness about the rich potential of expanding the presence of this learning in U.S. schools, the Statement is a followup to conversations with the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NCCIH, which has been the primary coordinating developer for NIH’s transformational Whole Person Health research and clinical framework. Many academic research and clinical centers are adopting this framework, which is a primary factor in the current Administration’s policy goals to reduce the impact of chronic illnesses in the population, including for children. NCCIH leadership has been supportive of the prevention and health promoting outcomes of school-based practices and the prospect for schools imparting a competency in wellbeing and self care. The Joint Statement continues our efforts to expand the field of practice exponents, educators, community development leaders and child health specialists. See the Joint Statement here.