School Based Health Centers' Role in Addressing High School Dropout

Objective: To assess School Based Health Centers' role in addressing health risks associated with high school dropout. Background: Nationally, high school dropout rates exceed 9%. Mental health conditions and reproductive health, particularly teen pregnancy, have been identified as health conditions that correlate most strongly with risk of school dropout. School based health centers (SBHCs) offer a broad range of services, including mental health and reproductive health services. Methods: Massachusetts data was extracted from 2004-2005 National School-Based Health Care Census. Analysis of census data from 54 School Based Health Centers examined the scope, type and utilization, of health services provided. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS 15.0. Results: SBHCs services include treatment of acute illnesses (100%), immunizations (83%), laboratory tests (96%), medication dispensed or prescriptions (94%), reproductive health services including male condoms (100%), contraceptive pills – prescribed or off-site referral (72%), pregnancy testing (74%), mental health assessment (69%), mental health diagnosis (61%), mental health case management (50%), and substance abuse counseling (52%). Results indicate high utilization rates for SBHCs mental health services, an identified health risk factor associated with school dropout. Conclusions: Teen pregnancy and mental health issues have been identified as major factors impacting school dropout. SBHCs offer a well positioned system to address these health risk factors. Mental health services, when available, exhibit high utilization rates. Further research is needed to define specific health services utilization patterns and, through collaboration with state departments of education, to link school drop out with specific school based health services.