Grant Establishes Healthcare Vending Machines at 12 PA Colleges and Universities

Type: News

Focus Area: Women’s Health

Dr. Lisa Schlar and Noah Riley spearheaded CMU UHS’ Wellness To Go vending machines.

In early 2024, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) issued a Request for Proposals to colleges across Pennsylvania, inviting them to apply for Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) maternal health fund awards, a new initiative to make pregnancy tests easily available on campus.

Health vending programs, offering items like pregnancy tests and reproductive health supplies, are becoming more common on campuses. Studies show that vending machines stocked with both health and reproductive supplies help reduce stigma, while providing essential resources like KN95 masks and COVID tests.

At Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Dr. Lisa Schlar, Medical Director of University Health Services, and Noah Riley, Health Promotion Program Director, have spearheaded the “Wellness To Go” program in Spring of 2024, offering discounted reproductive and sexual health supplies, in addition to other health products, including cold medicine, and Narcan, through vending machines. CMU recently was able to expand the vending program and add an additional machine and provide free pregnancy tests for all machines on campus.

“Expansion of the UHS Wellness To Go vending machine program to include an additional vending machine at the new Highmark Center for Health, Wellness, and Athletics and free pregnancy tests at all three vending machines on campus will have far reaching effects on the health and safety of our students,” Dr. Schlar said.

“Twenty-four-seven access to reproductive health supplies, like emergency contraception, pregnancy tests, and condoms allows for enhanced pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections prevention, and early pregnancy detection, to give more options and better care for those that need it. We are indebted to JHF for this grant to support innovation on college campuses.”

Early data shows that pregnancy tests and emergency contraception are often requested together, especially after hours when pharmacies are closed. CMU also includes health information and resources for those who have experienced sexual assault, and how to access more reliable birth control methods.

Dr. Schlar shared CMU’s approach with JHF, helping launch the College and University Health Vending RFP in 2024. Schools could apply for up to $20,000 to purchase and maintain vending machines and provide free pregnancy tests. JHF encouraged schools to offer additional health supplies, particularly emergency contraception, at a discount.

Twelve schools, including Arcadia University, the Community College of Philadelphia, Point Park University, and the University of Pittsburgh, were recommended for funding by JHF and PA DHS. CMU also received funding to expand their program. Participating schools aim to have vending services running by the spring semester.

As part of the program, regular reporting and utilization data will be shared with PA DHS to help address sexual and reproductive health needs across Pennsylvania.