Enhancing Rural School Attendance Through On-Site Health Clinics

Improving access to healthcare and boosting student attendance in rural communities have long posed significant challenges. Recent research from Cornell University sheds light on a promising solution: school-based health centers (SBHCs). The study, conducted across four counties in upstate New York, analyzed data from over 66,000 students over four years and revealed that schools hosting comprehensive health clinics saw a notable decrease in student absenteeism. Specifically, students in districts with on-site clinics, operated by a nonprofit hospital system, were 15% less likely to experience chronic absenteeism compared to their peers in districts without such facilities. This is particularly impactful for elementary students, who often miss school due to health issues or the need for adult supervision during medical visits. By providing immediate treatment on campus, these clinics reduce the need for parents to keep children home or travel long distances to healthcare providers, overcoming many barriers faced in rural settings where transportation options are limited. The findings support the expansion of SBHCs as a strategy to improve student health, academic performance, and overall well-being in rural areas. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights the importance of policy efforts to fund and staff more clinics within schools, ultimately aiming to reduce health disparities and enhance educational outcomes in underserved communities. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-rural-schools-site-health-clinics.html