School attendance is a public health issue: lessons for the UK from a new US framework.

In this article Falconer et al. argue that the current levels of persistent absence in English schools represent a public health challenge with significant impacts for education, social and health outcomes. The piece introduces a new public health framework from the United States for tackling persistent absence and explores its relevance to the English context. It proposes practical strategies for adopting the public health principles outlined in the framework in England, highlighting the roles of key partners, including the NHS and Local Authorities.