Student Health Resources at West Virginia University – West Virginia University

 

Report on WVU Student Health Services and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report outlines the operational framework of West Virginia University (WVU) Student Health Services and analyzes its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

WVU Student Health Services directly supports the targets of SDG 3 by ensuring access to comprehensive, affordable, and quality healthcare for the student population. The services provided are fundamental to promoting physical and mental well-being, which is a cornerstone of sustainable development.

Comprehensive Healthcare Services

A wide range of medical services are available to address the diverse health needs of students, thereby ensuring access to essential healthcare as mandated by SDG 3.

• Acute and Primary Care
• Gynecology and Family Medicine
• Behavioral Medicine
• Travel Health Consultations
• On-site Pharmacy for convenient access to medicines

Preventive Care and Disease Prevention

A strong focus on preventive medicine aligns with SDG 3’s goal of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and ending epidemics. This is achieved through:

• Routine health checkups and screenings.
• Provision of essential vaccines, including for influenza and COVID-19.
• Community-wide health initiatives, such as flu shot clinics open to students, faculty, staff, and the local community.

Supporting SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The availability of student health services is intrinsically linked to educational success and equitable opportunities for all students.

Enhancing Educational Outcomes

By providing accessible healthcare, WVU Student Health Services directly contributes to SDG 4. Maintaining student health is critical for academic focus, attendance, and overall success, ensuring that health issues do not become a barrier to quality education.

Ensuring Equitable Access to Care

In line with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the clinic employs a multi-faceted payment and insurance system to minimize financial barriers to healthcare.

• Acceptance of most major commercial insurance plans.
• Availability of a self-pay option for uninsured or out-of-network students.
• Integration with the Mounty Bounty payment system for added convenience.

Operational Framework and Accessibility

The operational structure is designed for efficiency and accessibility, ensuring students can receive timely care.

Clinic Operations and Scheduling

• Location: 390 Birch Street, Morgantown
• Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed on University holidays and during summer semesters).
• Appointment System: Students can schedule appointments, including urgent care video visits, through the MyChart digital health portal.

Student Access Protocol

A clear, multi-step process is in place for students to engage with health services. This process promotes sustainable community practices, aligning with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through its encouragement of public transport.

1. Register for Student Health Services via the designated online form.
2. Download and utilize the MyChart application to schedule and manage medical care.
3. Travel to the clinic using sustainable transport options like the Mountain Line bus or the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system. Limited patient parking is also available.
4. For after-hours care, students are directed to local urgent care facilities affiliated with WVU Medicine.

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The entire article focuses on providing comprehensive health services to university students. It details the availability of acute care, primary care, gynecology, behavioral medicine, and an on-site pharmacy, all of which directly contribute to ensuring the health and well-being of the student population.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article explicitly connects health to educational success by stating, “Good health helps students succeed in and out of the classroom.” This highlights that providing accessible healthcare is a support mechanism for achieving quality education, as healthy students are better able to learn and participate in their studies.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article mentions accessibility to the clinic via public transportation, specifically the “Mountain Line bus or PRT.” This relates to creating sustainable communities where residents have access to essential services like healthcare through sustainable transport systems.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
   • The article mentions that Student Health Services provides “flu and COVID-19 vaccines,” which is a direct action to combat communicable diseases within the university community.
2. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The provision of “behavioral medicine” services directly addresses the goal of promoting mental health and well-being among students.
3. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • The article describes a system aimed at providing health coverage for its student population by offering a “wide range of health and wellness care,” an “on-site pharmacy,” accepting “most commercial insurance plans,” and providing a “self-pay option.”

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
   • The provision of comprehensive and accessible student health services is a key component of creating a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment that enables students to thrive academically and personally.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all…
   • The article’s suggestion to “Use the Mountain Line bus or PRT to reach the clinic” points to the integration of public and sustainable transport systems to ensure community members can access essential services.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Implied Indicator for Target 3.3: The proportion of the university community covered by vaccinations. The article mentions “flu and COVID-19 vaccines” are available, implying that the number of vaccines administered could be tracked to measure progress in combating communicable diseases.
• Implied Indicator for Target 3.8: Coverage of essential health services. The article lists a wide range of available services (“acute care, primary care, gynecology, family medicine, travel health and behavioral medicine”), which serves as a qualitative indicator of the scope of health coverage provided to the student population. The number of students registered for the service could be a quantitative measure.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Implied Indicator for Target 4.a: The existence and utilization rate of on-campus student health and wellness facilities. The article describes the services and encourages students to register and schedule appointments, implying that the number of registered students and appointments made can measure the facility’s role in creating a supportive learning environment.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.2: The proportion of the student population with convenient access to essential services via public transport. By mentioning the bus and PRT as ways to reach the clinic, the article implies that the clinic’s location is accessible to students who rely on public transportation.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from Article)
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.3: Combat communicable diseases.	The number/proportion of students and community members receiving flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.	The availability and utilization of “behavioral medicine” services by students.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage.	The range of available health services and the number of students registered with Student Health Services.
SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.a: Provide safe and effective learning environments.	The existence of comprehensive on-campus health services as a component of a supportive educational environment.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.2: Provide access to sustainable transport systems.	The accessibility of the health clinic via public transport options like the “Mountain Line bus or PRT.”

Source: students.wvu.edu