Full Description
Examine school-based health clinics and the political considerations and strategies that can help them succeed!The Politics of Youth, Sex, and Health Care in American Schools reveals the history and political dynamics involved in building and sustaining an important innovation in the way health care services are delivered to America's youth: the school-based health clinic. These clinics provide vital health services--including crucial yet controversial reproductive services--to youth. In addition to analyzing the nature and extent of the political barriers facing school-based clinics, this vital book describes the strategies that have proven most effective in overcoming them.This essential book begins with an overview of the existing literature on the history and provision of health care for youth. Then it presents the results of a study that utilized a two-pronged approach: a nationwide survey of clinic administrators (supplemented with aggregate data) and intensive case studies of five representative locales. By combining the quantitative data from the national survey with the more qualitative information gleaned from the case study field work, The Politics of Youth, Sex, and Health Care in American Schools can deliver broad yet accurate generalizations as well as detailed interpretation of the authors'findings.This informative and insightful volume explores:
the ways that school-based health clinics (SBHCs) have evolved, confronted opposition, and grown
day-to-day issues that SBHCs face, including inadequate funding, lack of parental involvement, unsupportive teachers and schools, staffing/training issues, cultural issues, and more
sources of opposition to SBHCs, including fundamentalist Protestants, Black Evangelicals, Catholics, and conservative parent groups
ways to establish successful school health care reforms
issues and recommendations for SBHCs in the future
To date, there have been very few empirical studies of the politics of school health or of the provision of sexuality-related health services for youth. The greatest depth and breadth of information you can find on the subject is here, in The Politics of Youth, Sex, and Health Care in American Schools.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Evolution of Health Services in Schools
Health Status and Care of American Youth
Schools and Health Care
The Development of School-Based Clinics
Effectiveness of School-Based Health Centers
SBHCs Confront Opposition
Growth of SBHCs
School Clinics As Policy Change
Politics Matters
Our Study of SBHCs: Why Is It Important?
Chapter 2. Major Problems of School Health Centers
Day-to-Day Issues
Major Underlying Issues
Characteristics of Less Successful Clinics
Chapter 3. The Establishment and Success of School Health Reforms
Inner Circle of Support
Outer Circle of Support
Building the Web of Support
Role of the Media
Funding for SBHCs
Characteristics of Successful Clinics
SBHCs That Have Prospered
Chapter 4. Sexuality Services and the Political Opposition
SBHCs and Prevention of Sexually Related Health Problems
Sources of Opposition to SBHCs
Characteristics of Clinics Offering Sexuality Services
Political Tactics of the Opposition
Strategies of Advocates
Race and Politics Matter
Chapter 5. The Future of SBHCs As a School Reform: Issues and Recommendations
Financial Support
Mental Health Services
Dealing with Sexual Orientation
The Gender Gap
Neglect of Latinos
Underutilized Resources
Political Advocates for Youth
Accountability
Dealing with the Race Issue
"Model" SBHC Reform
Politics As the Key
References
Index
