American College Health Association - National College Health Assessment spring 2007 reference group data report (abridged)

Abstract

Objective: Assessing and understanding the health needs and capacities of college students is paramount to creating healthy campus communities. The American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) is a survey that ACHA developed in 1998 to assist institutions of higher education in achieving this goal. The ACHA-NCHA contains approximately 300 questions assessing student health status and health problems, risk and protective behaviors, and impediments to academic performance.

Participants: The spring 2007 reference group includes ACHA-NCHA data from 71,860 students at 107 institutions of higher education.

Methods: Officials at participating institutions administered the ACHA-NCHA to all students, to randomly selected students, or to students in randomly selected classrooms. ACHA collected data between January and May 2007.

Results: Results from the spring 2007 reference group (N= 71,860) are presented.

Conclusions: These data expand the understanding of the health needs and capacities of college students.