Date of Award

2026

Type

Thesis

Major

Health and Physical Education

Degree Type

Master of Public Health

Department

Kinesiology and Health Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Patricia Anafi

Second Advisor

Dr. Rebecca Toland

Abstract

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are an important strategy for addressing health disparities and improving educational outcomes among underserved students. In Columbus, Georgia, barriers such as limited insurance, transportation challenges, and provider shortages contribute to unmet health needs, which are linked to increased absenteeism. To address these issues, Valley Healthcare System, Inc. (VHCS) implemented a School-Based Health Clinic (SBHC) at Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the SBHC in improving student attendance outcomes. A quasi-experimental, difference-in-differences design compared Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School (treatment group) before and after SBHC implementation (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) with a similar school, Allen Elementary, without an SBHC (control group). Outcomes included average daily attendance, absenteeism, and chronic absenteeism. Results showed improvements at the intervention school, with attendance increasing from 89.5% to 91.4%, absenteeism decreasing from 10.5% to 8.6%, and chronic absenteeism declining from 42.3% to 36.1%. In contrast, the comparison school experienced declines in attendance and increases in absenteeism measures. Difference-in-differences analysis indicated a net positive effect of the SBHC, including a 3.0 percentage point increase in attendance and a 9.3 percentage point reduction in chronic absenteeism. These findings suggest that SBHCs can reduce health-related barriers to school attendance and support student engagement. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and short evaluation period, this study supports SBHCs as an effective, equity-focused intervention to improve both health access and educational outcomes.

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