School-based health centers are providing critical care to children who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the healthcare system, according to new research examining nearly 180,000 children across 14 states. The study reveals these facilities serve a population that is disproportionately low-income, uninsured, and Hispanic, highlighting their role in addressing pediatric health inequities.
The research found that almost half of children using school-based health centers come from families earning less than 138% of the federal poverty line. More strikingly, 45.7% of these children self-identified as Hispanic. Among those who used only school-based centers for their care—representing three-quarters of all users—13.4% lacked health insurance entirely, compared to just 2.6% of children who also accessed other community health centers.
These disparities in insurance coverage appear to affect the care children receive. Those relying exclusively on school-based centers had fewer total yearly visits, fewer well-child checkups, and lower rates of influenza vaccination. Despite these challenges, the centers are filling a crucial gap: one-third of children received their well-child care exclusively through school-based facilities, and nearly a quarter got their flu shots only at these locations.
The findings underscore how school-based health centers function as a safety net for vulnerable populations, particularly Hispanic children and those without insurance. Researchers concluded that with adequate resources and better integration with other healthcare facilities, these centers have strong potential to reduce health disparities affecting minority communities.
See: “Characteristics of Children Seeking Care at School-Based Health Centers” (Accepted: 10-27-2025)Â
