Treating the whole child: How SBHCs can be used to improve nutrition and other preventative habits

Community clinics nationwide are seeing the successful integration of health education instruction into their clinical models that address issues such as nutrition’s role in preventing or improving chronic disease outcomes. School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are known for their critical primary care and behavioral health services, but also provide a wide variety of health education with an emphasis on prevention. Despite this emphasis, basic health habits, such as nutrition, may not always be adequately addressed when the reason for seeking care is acute illness or a behavioral health need.  In 2012, School Health Connection conducted a cross-sectional analysis comparing associations around access to care, reduction in high risk behaviors, and nutritional and physical activity habits between schools with and without SBHCs. Despite the availability of health education in SBHCs, having access to a SBHC did not amount to a reduction in poor dietary habits, such as consumption of sugary sodas and snacks and low intake of fruits and vegetables. Results show that SBHCs, despite being a great setting for potential health education interventions, are not being utilized to their maximum potential to assist students in making healthier nutritional choices. SBHCs could be a critical prevention mechanism, as students are more likely to use an SBHC for care if they have access to one, are confident that their visit is confidential, and receive care from a provider they have rapport and trust with. This session will outline the implications for the need of further health education integration into the SBHC clinical setting.