Urban adolescents in the U.S. experience significant health disparities, including higher rates of substance use, mental illness, and sexually transmitted infections compared to their suburban peers (CDC, 2025; Nature, 2024). These risks are compounded for youth from low-income families and communities of color, who face additional barriers related to poverty, unstable housing, and limited access to health services (JAMA Pediatrics, 2023).
School-based health intervention programs (SBHIPs) address these challenges by embedding care directly into schools, reducing barriers like cost and transportation. SBHIPs provide immunizations, counseling, and nutrition education, while promoting health literacy—essential for navigating and applying health information (CDC, n.d.). This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of SBHIPs in improving health outcomes for urban youth and identifies evidence-based strategies for implementation and sustainability.
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