Chronic Health Condition Management and School-Based Health Centers in New York: Findings From the 2020 School Health Profiles Survey

Abstract

School-based health centers (SBHCs) are associated with numerous positive aspects of student health services. Many schools in the United States (US) do not have transparent policies on chronic health condition (CHC) management. Of particular concern is the underreporting of the delivery of health services in U.S. schools concerning CHC management and its relationship with the presence or absence of a SBHC. Data from the 2020 School Health Profiles (SHP) Survey were examined in New York public secondary schools. Specific health services were reviewed, together with the presence or absence of a SBHC, including daily medication administration, stock rescue medication, case management services, community partners, chronic disease-specific education, and assurance that students with CHCs were enrolled in an insurance program. A significantly greater proportion of schools with a SBHC compared with schools without a SBHC provided: (1) daily medication administration (92.9% vs. 86.5%; p < .001), (2) stock or rescue medication (84.9% vs. 77.4%; p < .001), (3) case management services (83.1% vs. 67.2%; p < .001), (4) disease-specific education for families (63.1% vs. 57.2%; p = .022), (5) student and family connection to community health services (84.2% vs. 76.5%; p < .001), and (6) ensured that a protocol existed whereby students with a CHC were enrolled in an insurance plan if eligible (79.6% vs. 66.8%; p < .001). Findings suggest that data on a national scale include essential facts for states to consider concerning school health policies and practices. Additional research should examine the intricacy of elements connected with school-based health care to understand better the care provided to children with CHCs.

Advancing School Health: Building a Partnership Between School Nurses and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“…The most suitable respondents for these specific questions are licensed school health professionals, namely school nurses, who directly provide these services. Some nurse researchers employing the YRBSS and Profiles surveys acknowledge the inherent limitations in data attributed to the survey's sources or phrasing of questions, asserting these constraints may contribute to a lack of understanding concerning the essential role of school nurses in implementation and influence over health and education outcomes (McCabe et al, 2022(McCabe et al, , 2024Pontes et al, 2021). This hampers the formulation of policies, allocation of funding, and provision of resources toward enhancing school nursing services.…”