College Health Surveillance Network: Epidemiology and Health Care Utilization of College Students at US 4-Year Universities

OBJECTIVE: This description of the College Health Surveillance Network (CHSN) includes methodology, demography, epidemiology, and health care utilization. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three universities representing approximately 730,000 enrolled students contributed data from January 1, 2011, through May 31, 2014. METHODS: Participating schools uploaded de-identified electronic health records from student health services monthly. RESULTS: During this study, just over 800,000 individuals used the health centers, comprising 4.17 million patient encounters. Sixty percent of visits included primary care, 13% mental health, 9% vaccination, and 31% other miscellaneous services. The 5 most common specific diagnostic categories (with annual rates per 100 enrolled students) were preventive (16); respiratory (12); skin, hair, and nails; infectious non-sexually transmitted infection (5 each); and mental health (4). Utilization and epidemiologic trends are identified among subpopulations of students. CONCLUSIONS: CHSN data establish trends in utilization and epidemiologic patterns by college students and the importance of primary and behavioral health care services on campuses.