Access to quality and comprehensive health care is vital to achieving health equity and increasing the quality of life for all. In 2017, roughly 12.8% of the US population between the ages of 18 and 64 years old were uninsured, and roughly one in four individuals did not have a regular primary care provider at a designated health center (CDC, 2017). When there is a lack of access to health coverage and health services, preventable health conditions may not be managed.
Student Wellness supports the emotional, social, and physical well-being of students to help them reach their academic and personal goals and make the most of their educational experience.
"A student found out that they had cancer. They didn't have health insurance, and they were too upset after being diagnosed with cancer to plan the next steps in figuring out health insurance and treatment. This student said that this service helped them get through this tough period, as the health service and health insurance world was so complex and they were so distraught that working through it alone would have been unmanageable."
Between the health advisor and counselor, services including hospital, primary care, specialized care, vision, dental, reproductive health, behavioral health and crisis-response, and health insurance assistance, have been provided to over 1,780 unique clients.
The top reasons for seeking health advising services included health insurance and behavioral health concerns, followed by physical health concerns, immunization assists, food and housing insecurities, vision, prescription, and dental inquiries.
In response to feedback from student leaders, we had members of our Student Wellness team trained as QPR trainers to provide suicide prevention trainings to students. QPR trainings were also modified to be offered for our faculty and staff who are student-facing. This is a program that will continue to be offered to students, faculty, and staff after the grant has ended.
In the third year of the grant, we established and have maintained a regular collegiate alcohol and drug recovery group. The group meets weekly and has an average participation of 4 students per week. The group met weekly for 2020-2021 in a virtual capacity to adhere to COVID-related safety protocols. Additional recreational outings are facilitated by the collegiate recovery group leader to provide a safe and sober environment for students seeking support outside of official recovery group meetings. This is a program that will continue to be offered to students, faculty, and staff after the grant has ended.
Many students have no idea that they're eligible for health insurance through Oregon's Medicaid system. Through class presentations, health education seminars, and direct service marketing, this project was able to reach students who don't have health insurance and/or don't understand how to utilize health insurance to receive health services.
Members of our team now participate in both short-term and long-term health strategies to address the projected health and wellness needs of our student body as the campus continues to expand. We are involved in developing policy for health and wellness concepts on campus and also have become involved in creating a health curriculum for our traditional-aged students.
We anticipate the Wellness Coordinator's role to continue as a permanent position at OSU-Cascades and we are excited to have been involved in this innovative health strategy model. We view this service model as looking similar to one that is now being used throughout all public universities and community colleges in Oregon as the Basic Needs Navigator, funded by House Bill 2835.
The Health Advisor has also established and maintained community relationships with groups like Building Bridges, Deschutes County Health Services Suicide Prevention Program, the Oregon Health Authority, PacificSource, Mosaic Medical, High Lakes Healthcare, Planned Parenthood, Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance, Saving Grace, and the Central Oregon Immunization Coalition.