This document provides a topical reference on school health issues in urban areas from the perspective of the local health department, based on the results of the 1995 CityMatCH Survey of Urban Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Programs. The document includes four sections. Section 1 provides an overview of the background, purposes, and methodology used in conducting and analyzing the survey and highlights major findings. "Focus on School Health in Urban Communities" discusses issues found in the literature, the framework, and key definitions. The connection between urban health departments and schools, areas and level of involvement and the legal/formal foundation of these relationships are explored. Section 2 highlights the obstacles health departments encounter as they increasingly become involved in school health. These obstacles are divided into four categories: attitudes, resources, society, and systems. Section 3 provides a profile of current efforts of urban health departments to share data with their colleagues across the United States. The section includes a summary of characteristics and contact information for those interested in follow-up. Funding levels and sources for MACH programs are identified and presented in a summary table. Section 4 contains six appendices which include a survey form, a list of surveyed health departments, a directory of urban MCH programs and leadership, and three lists of urban health departments involved in school health programs. (Contains 25 references.) (CK)