Graduate Student Research Symposium 2026

Access to timely sports medicine care remains uneven across the United States, particularly in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. This systematic review examines the role of athletic trainers (ATs) in secondary schools in improving healthcare access, reducing costs, and advancing health equity for student-athletes. Following PRISMA guidelines, 18 studies published between 2010 and 2025 were synthesized. Evidence consistently indicates that rural and Title I schools are significantly less likely to employ ATs, limiting students’ access to immediate and specialized medical care. Across studies, the presence of an AT was associated with lower healthcare expenditures, reduced non-urgent emergency department utilization, improved injury recognition and triage, and greater continuity of care. Qualitative findings further position ATs as frontline healthcare providers who help mitigate social and economic barriers to treatment. Overall, evidence suggests that expanding AT services in underserved schools may represent a scalable, cost-effective strategy to reduce healthcare disparities among adolescent athletes.