Key Takeaways
Due to systemic racism, schools serving predominantly students of color are disproportionately likely to have high needs.
Schools in rural parts of the state, particularly the San Luis Valley and southeast Colorado, have relatively limited access to existing school-based health centers, despite high needs.
Disparities in urban Colorado are stark, signaling a need for targeted investment in schools and communities where health needs are highest.
The Colorado Health Institute released the findings of a new needs assessment for school-based health centers (SBHCs) in Colorado in early 2021.
The assessment identifies opportunities to improve access to care at schools that serve predominantly students of color, schools in rural Colorado, and schools in underserved urban regions of Colorado.
Use the tool below to read the findings — and to explore the data for yourself.
This visualization works best on desktop and in full screen.
Further Resources
A printable flyer summarizing findings from the school-based health center (SBHC) needs assessment is available for download here.
A detailed description of CHI’s methods is available for download here.
All data used in this analysis is available for download here.
Lead Authors: Julia Char Gilbert and Lindsey Whittington