In a comprehensive study of college health centers across the United States, federal investigators found that while basic sexual and reproductive health services are
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, released last month, examined 15 colleges nationwide and analyzed data from 184 four-year institutions, revealing a complex landscape of healthcare delivery that varies significantly based on institution size, location, and religious affiliation.
While most campus health centers offered common services like STI testing and basic contraception, more complex reproductive healthcare remained limited. Only one surveyed college provided medication abortion services, and just two institutions offered IUD insertions. The report found that larger institutions with over 10,000 students were more likely to offer comprehensive services compared to smaller colleges.
Privacy emerged as a major concern, with students at 10 of the 15 examined colleges expressing worries about their parents learning about their care through insurance statements. This led some students to pay out-of-pocket rather than use their family's health insurance. Some health centers responded by implementing privacy-enhancing measures, such as installing acoustic panels and using text messages instead of calling out names in waiting rooms.
Cost posed another significant barrier, with seven colleges reporting that some students struggled to afford care, particularly laboratory fees for STI testing. To address this challenge, many institutions developed creative solutions, including partnerships with local health providers, grant funding for specific services, and sliding-scale payment options based on students' ability to pay.
"Unfamiliarity with sexual and reproductive health care was a challenge for some students," the report noted, with officials at 14 of 15 colleges citing this as an issue. Many attributed this to limited sex education before college. Health educators at several institutions reported success with innovative outreach methods, including using games and novelty items to spark conversations about sexual health.
