School-Based Health Centers and School Attendance in Rural Areas

Key Points

Question:  Is there an association between school-based health centers (SBHCs) and student absenteeism in rural areas?

Findings  In this cross-sectional study of 66 303 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, those with access to SBHCs had significantly fewer absences than students with no access to SBHCs in the same rural region after accounting for grade, sex, school year, economic disadvantage, community wealth, and school district size. These differences were greatest at lower levels of absenteeism and among elementary students.

Meaning  These results suggest that by providing primary care services at school, SBHCs may decrease absenteeism among students in rural communities.