School absence--a health perspective.

Excessive school absence may result in difficulty in completing academic work, being retained in grade, or dropping out of school prior to high school graduation. Frequent or prolonged absence may be an indication that a student has a serious physical or emotional health problem, that he or she is engaged in problem behaviors with potentially serious health and social consequences, that other family members have physical or psychological problems, or that the student is reacting to an unfavorable school environment.