Twenty Years Of School-Based Health Care Growth And Expansion

This article describes the status (as of 2018) of school-based health centers (SBHCs) nationally, including changes in the field from 1998-2017. Using data from a national School-Based Health Care census, the authors report that the number of SBHCs doubled between 1998–99 and 2016–17. During this time SBCHs adapted continuously to dynamic community needs and an ever-shifting landscape. As of 2018, SBHCs are primarily funded federally, and provide access to primary care, mental, oral, and other health services in 10,629 schools for over 6.3 million students. SBHCs have grown steadily since 1998, and expansion through federally qualified health centers and telehealth technology forecasts even greater growth, innovation, and access for underserved communities.