Community college health services. Are they necessary?

A preliminary study was undertaken to assess the potential predictors of the medical care needs of the students attending a community college. No definite medical-social-economic parameters were useful predictors. The self-assessed primary health needs were documented. These were generally in areas not traditionally managed by college health services, particularly the visual, dental, and preventive health care concerns. Based on our data, colleges with limited resources may need to reassess their medical care priorities for students.