SBHC’s Impact on Chicago Adolescents in the Area of Substance Use

Abstract

This study examines the correlation between education and healthcare through the lens of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in Chicago, exploring how these facilities may reflect neighborhood inequality. We analyze how SBHCs serve as indicators of the collective socioeconomic status and social cohesion of their surrounding communities, highlighting disparities among Chicago’s neighborhoods. Recent studies suggest that SBHCs play a crucial role in improving healthcare outcomes and reducing income-related disparities To evaluate this premise, we conducted focus groups, questionnaires (i.e., ORIC, AIM, FIM, and IAM), and demographic surveys with healthcare professionals working at Erie Health and Rush University Health SBHCs across Chicago. This approach allows us to document and analyze variations in resource allocation, service delivery, and health outcomes among these two health center operators. From the survey, we noticed that most Rush SBHC sites have basic resources, such as access to nurse practitioners, but some did not meet the higher-level needs. While some SBH sites lacked screening methods, others had multiple options. This indicates that, in differen areas, SBHCs under the same company can provide varying services. This project aims t provide insight into how SBHCs mirror broader patterns of urban inequality