School-based health and wellness centers (SBHCs) are spread from Del Norte to San Diego County with large concentrations in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.
School-based health and wellness centers are located in schools serving some of the state’s most vulnerable children. On campuses with SBHCs, about 70% of students receive free or reduced price meals.
Students in communities that benefit from school-based health and wellness centers are less likely to have health insurance or access to health and mental health services that address these risk factors.
Without access to high-quality health services, childhood risk factors are more likely to be translated into higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses in adulthood as well as more struggles with academic success.
Of California’s 346 school-based health and wellness centers:
- 45% are in high schools
- 19% are in elementary schools
- 14% are in middle schools
- 12% are “school-linked” or mobile medical vans, and
- 10% serve multiple grade levels.
Most of California’s SBHCs are physically located right on campus within a main building or in a portable.
In some areas, health services are provided by mobile medical or dental vans, and in other areas, “school-linked” health centers are off campus and have formal operating agreements with schools.
