4 YOUTH: Reaching Native American Youth Through School Based Health Care

4 Youth is dedicated to promoting School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) as the ideal delivery model of health care for Native American youth. 4 Youth empowers young people to advocate for services and policy changes to improve sustainability and culturally appropriate care in SBHC's. 4 Youth believes that a SBHC should be an accessible, youth-friendly place that addresses the health needs of youth.

The combined effects of poverty and lack of access to health care result in some of the worst health disparities for children, particularly for Native American children. 4Youth, a program of the New Mexico Assembly on School-Based Health Care that is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, works in collaboration with New Mexico Voices for Children, the Northwest Champions School-Based Health Center Network, the Northern Navajo Medical Center, and the ACL Teen Centers (UNM-CHPDP). The shared goal is to improve the health outcomes for Native American youth by strengthening the quality and accessibility of SBHC services.

What are School-Based Health Centers?
School-based health centers are primary health care centers located within elementary, middle and high schools. They provide comprehensive physical and behavioral health services to children and adolescents regardless of their ability to pay. The centers emphasize prevention and early detection of health problems and work with students, their families and communities to encourage healthy lifestyles. School-based health centers increase access to health care, improve health outcomes, reduce school absenteeism, and promote family involvement. There are about 70 school-based health centers throughout NM.

Why School-Based Health Centers?
New Mexico has the nation's highest rate of uninsured children - one-fifth does not have health insurance. Native American children account for 12% of New Mexico's youth population, and 40% of them lack health insurance. To make matters worse, 70% of Native American children live in areas where access to health care is extremely limited and 46 % live in poverty. Over one-fourth of Native youth report that they receive no routine health care.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the primary healthcare delivery system used by over one-third (38%) of Native American children in New Mexico IHS funding is only about 59% of the funding needed to provide necessary health care to the Native American people. Native Americans who rely on IHS are not assured access to minimal levels of health care services.

While access to health care remains bleak, hope is offered by a network of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in Native American communities.

 

For more information about school-based health centers see the website of the National Assembly of School-Based Health Care.

For more information about 4 YOUTH "Reaching Native American Youth Through School Based Health Care" please contact:

Regina "Gina" Begay-Roanhorse
Program Manager
(505) 244-9505 ext. 16