Water 'Fast Facts' at Your Fingertips

Water is a basic human need—something kids cannot live without. Because children spend so much time at school, having fresh, clean water available to them is critical for them to live healthier lives.

All kids in every school in the United States should have access to water at no cost while they’re on campus. When kids don’t have enough water to drink, their health and cognitive performance, particularly their short-term memory, may suffer. And, when water is not available, children tend to consume more sugary drinks, which are linked to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

You can learn more about the importance of drinking water in Voices for Healthy Kids Water Access in Schools Fast Facts.

Inside this document, you’ll find facts from up-to-date studies and “fast facts” written in consumer-friendly language. Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), has a science review process in place to ensure that emerging science is correctly translated and that all materials are firmly rooted in the American Heart Association’s tradition of rigorous review.

In addition to the Water Access in Schools Fast Facts, you may also find other American Heart Association-approved resources on the science fast facts homepage.