Removing barriers to success gives kids the opportunity to thrive [philly.com]

Basketball superstar LeBron James continues to make offseason headlines. This time, it's for something that even 76ers fans can agree on. James' I Promise School model recognizes that a child's environment plays an important role in his or her success.

A high IQ and personal initiative don't mean students will excel in the classroom, especially if they don't have support at home, don't know where their next meal is coming from or don't feel safe in their own neighborhood. James has opened the door to a much-needed broader conversation about health equity, the opportunity to be healthy, and we need to take advantage of this spotlight. Being "healthy" means more than getting a flu shot or exercising each day.

Social conditions shouldn't determine how long or how well we live. It is challenging for kids to get daily exercise if their neighborhoods are too dangerous for them to be outside. Parents can't buy fruits and vegetables without fresh markets in their area. Who among us would choose seeing a primary-care provider if the co-pay meant we couldn't afford to feed our family? Only when people can obtain appropriate care and have the means to make healthy choices — regardless of income, education, ethnicity, or location — can we say that we are on the path to truly healthy communities.