Date of Award

5-2019

Degree Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences

Department

Public Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Currently, the communities of Philadelphia, which have predominantly African American residents, suffer from massive racial and ethnic health disparities. Children in these communities are at high risk of dropping out of school while also lacking access to reproductive health care. This myriad of unfortunate circumstances perpetuates the cycle of poverty that residents in these lowincome communities have been experiencing for decades. School-based health centers are a potential answer to this problem. The objective of this meta-analysis is to review published studies and carry out a meta-analysis to assess potential benefits and feasibility of SBHCs in the Philadelphia public school system as well any concerns that may arise with their provision.

METHOD: A literature review and analysis was conducted through an online search of databases and government websites including Medline, PubMed, National Institute of Health, Google Scholar, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Center for Disease Control, and Google Scholar. A Google search for local credible news sources was also performed. The database searches were completed using the following search terms: SBHCs,”; “school-based health center”; “health inequity in schools”; “reproductive health care in schools". Abstracts were reviewed for relevance, and those remaining were critically reviewed.

EXPECTED OUTCOME: The review of the relevant literature should reveal several benefits to implementing SBHCs as well as whether there is feasibility in establishing SBHCs in Philadelphia’s public school system. These findings can have an important implication for addressing the reproductive health care needs of underserved youth in low-income areas.

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