Publications and Research
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 5-15-2025
Abstract
This study investigates disparities in healthcare access among students at CUNY Hunter College, an urban public university in Manhattan serving over 22,000 students. 89% of Hunter students receive financial aid, with 67% of students receiving Pell grants. Hunter College only offers limited health services, primarily short-term mental health counseling and wellness workshops. A cross-sectional survey (n = 33) assessed insurance status, coverage (dental, vision, psychiatric), access barriers (e.g., transportation), mental health symptoms, and impacts to academia. While 69.7% of respondents reported comprehensive insurance, students with public insurance (Medicaid, Medicare) experienced substantially higher access barriers than those with employer-sponsored plans and plans through their parents/guardians, though findings did not reach statistical significance (χ² = 5.86, p = .119). Unlike peer institutions such as New York University and Columbia University, which provide full-service student health centers offering primary and specialty care, STI testing and treatment, comprehensive behavioral health services (including psychiatry), and on-campus pharmacy services at no additional cost, Hunter College does not have these essential services. These findings show the need to establish a comprehensive student health center at Hunter, which would offer comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, sexual health services, OB/GYN care, and health education, staffed by the Hunter College community to strengthen care delivery and promote health equity across CUNY.
Included in
Health Services Administration Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
Comments
This article was completed in partial requirement of PH 41300-01 Research Symposium at the Department of Public Health at the School of Heath Sciences at CUNY Hunter College.