Health Awareness, Policies, and Services at Community Colleges

EDINFO No. 2003-06
August 2003
ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges

In September 2000, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) conducted a survey of 1,100 community colleges across the nation in order to gather data on college health centers, health services, and community collaborations related to HIV/AIDS. Four hundred and six colleges returned the survey, for a response rate of 37 percent. The responding colleges were representative of community colleges nationwide, with respect to geographic region and enrollment. Highlighted here are selected findings, as well as identified success factors for campuses.

Findings:

Alcohol, drugs, and stress management are the most frequently addressed health concerns in classes and presentations. Issues of multiculturalism and diversity, communicable diseases, exercise and fitness, and nutrition are also frequently addressed.

Forty-two percent of responding community colleges have health centers on campus.

Among responding campuses, 41 percent target persons engaging in high-risk behaviors for health-related events, promotional materials, and services. Between 10 and 30 percent of colleges target populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV infection, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, homosexual men, youth, and women.

HIV testing is available to students at 15 percent of community colleges. Twenty-seven percent of responding campuses offer sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing.

Twenty percent of responding campuses have an HIV/AIDS task force or similar advisory committee.

The percentage of responding colleges offering service-learning opportunities in HIV/AIDS, alcohol/drugs, and human sexuality increased from 1996 to 2000. However, ninety percent of responding colleges do not offer a specific HIV/AIDS course.

Success Factors for Campuses:

Health services and facilities on campus

Prevention programs, especially targeting priority or at-risk populations

Health information widely distributed to students, faculty, and staff

This information was reported in ED464663, "National Study on Community College Health" by Nan Ottenritter. A full-text copy of this document may be obtained by contacting ERIC Document Reproduction Services (EDRS), 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; or by calling (800) 443-ERIC. This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education under contract number ED-99-CO-0010. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. ERIC EdInfos are in the public domain and may be freely reproduced.

To receive free paper copies of ERIC EdInfos, send an email message to the Clearinghouse at ericcc@ucla.edu, call us at (800) 832-8256, or write to us at: ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges. 3051 Moore Hall, Box 951521. University of California, Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA 90095-1521

Health Awareness, Policies, and Services at Community Colleges EDINFO No. 2003-06 August 2003 ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges

Health Awareness, Policies, and Services at Community Colleges

EDINFO No. 2003-06
August 2003
ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges