http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/24/dr_gabor_mat_on_the_stress Obviously student health is a critical factor affecting student motivation, initiative and a student's sustained effort to learn. Secondary and higher Education group education (in the USA) can be stressful by design. But is that design helping more students learn and to learn well? Canadian Dr. Gabor Maté appeared on Democracy Now Friday December 24, 2010. He discussed his research findings about the stress-disease connection. His remarks include the emotional and mental health and functionality implications primarily with respect to children. But the conclusions seem to this PI to justifiably apply to adult learners as well. A transcript is available at the web site.