The 'No school no pool (NSNP)' policy is an initiative to improve school attendance through mandatory attendance to gain access to swimming pools (RLSSWA, 2016). Through this policy, healthy practices and physical environments are two other social determinants that influenced the health outcomes of the children. Initially, there were reports of scabies, skin infections, glue ear, and eye problems (Projector, 2008). However, with the establishment of the NSNP policy, several community members reported improved hearing and healthier skin (Projector, 2008). This could be explained through the improvement of the physical environment, more specifically clean water. Access to clean water is vital for health (WHO, 2012b; Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, 2008a). The swimming pools, unlike natural locations that could be prone to flooding, and dangerous animals, provided a safe and healthy environment, where the children were free to swim without risks (RLSSWA, 2016). Additionally, the NSNP policy allowed the children to establish health practices such as hygiene and physical activity. The requirement to shower first before and after swimming, not only increased their health literacy, but also improved overall hygiene habits (RLSSWA, 2016). Moreover, the policy which generates physical activity in the children, improved strength and stamina, thereby creating healthy practices (RLSSWA, …show more content…
Community participation and health promotion were two primary health care principles that guided the NSNS policy. Community participation was promoted through the bridging and bonding of social capital (McMurray & Clendon, 2015; Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, 2016b) ). It could be said that the interaction among the children brought their parents together, thus, resulting in a more cohesive community. Furthermore, the swimming pools become gathering places eventually becoming a hub for community events, such as swimming carnivals (RLSSWA, 2016; Projector, 2008). These pools also allow community members to interact on a more personal level, which then increases the social capital (RLSSWA, 2016; McMurray & Clendon, 2015). This is crucial because it allows the community to become more empowered, thus being able to actively participate in their own health decisions and challenge health inequalities (Marmot & Wilkinson, 200; McMurray & Clendon, 2015). Moreover, health promotion is another primary health care principle that guided the NSNP policy through education, health literacy, and healthy practices. Health literacy is improved through the mandatory school attendance as they are provided with information and resources to enable individuals to be active participants in their own health decision-making (McMurray & Clendon, 2015). Additionally, health practices such as hygiene and physical activity were established through the access of pools. For example, the