The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69109

Kathryn N. Keller, MPH, School-Based Child Health Interventions, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, 3805 Edwards Road, Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45209, 513-458-6616, kkeller@healthfoundation.org, Terrance Wade, PhD, Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670840, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0840, and Ann McCracken, PhD, Evaluation, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, 3805 Edwards Road, Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45209.

This study presents an examination of the absence rates and health related quality of life of students across eight rural and urban school districts that have school-based health centers (SBHCs) in Greater Cincinnati. We collected absence and enrollment data over three years and compared them to four comparison schools. After the second year, schools with SBHCs had significantly lower absence rates. We are collecting Year Three data. The PedsQL provides a measure of students’ overall health–related quality of life. Randomly selected students in four schools with an SBHC and four comparison schools were interviewed using the PedsQL every year for three years. After the second year, students enrolled in schools with a SBHC were able to maintain their overall health rating, while students enrolled in schools without an SBHC had a significantly lower overall health rating.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the academic and health related benefits of a school-based health center
• Advocate for the school-based health center model using data-driven information

Keywords: Access to Care, School-Based Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.