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The Frontline Health Care Workers in Schools: Health Equity, the Distribution of School Nurses, and Student Access

Authors :
Gratz, Trevor
Goldhaber, Dan
Willgerodt, Mayumi
Brown, Nate
Source :
Journal of School Nursing. Oct 2023 39(5):357-367.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

The extent to which observed disparities in access to primary pediatric care are mirrored in student access to school nursing services is unknown. Using school employment records, we linked 1,346 nurses to school districts serving 1,141,495 students in Washington state. The percentage of students who are Black is negatively associated with the student-to-nurse ratio, while the percentage of students eligible for free-or-reduced-price lunch is positively associated, and relative to urban districts, rural districts have higher student-to-nurse ratios. Disparities in access to school nursing services mirror access gaps for pediatric care along socioeconomic status and geography. The increased number of nurses working in districts with more racial/ethnic minority students may play a protective role and ameliorate access gaps observed in pediatric primary care. States can likely use existing employment and licensing data to understand where school nurses work and therefore guide resource allocation decisions.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1059-8405 and 1546-8364
Volume :
39
Issue :
5
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Journal of School Nursing
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1392342
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/10598405211024277