Student Pharmacists Can Actively Drive Community Health

Student pharmacists are more than future clinicians in training, as new research suggests that giving them early opportunities to lead community initiatives can create a lasting public health impact and improve their professional experience, according to JAPhA.¹ On top of improving both patient outcomes and emerging pharmacists’ expertise, these same initiatives introduce new pharmacists to the communities they will make careers within.

“The traditional image of the pharmacist as solely focused on dispensing prescriptions and managing safety issues related to medications is changing,” wrote the authors of a Wolters Kluwer report.² “With retail pharmacies being firmly planted within the communities they serve, pharmacists are moving naturally and rapidly toward playing a more pivotal role in community-based patient care and outcomes.”

This systemic shift is supported by recent research from Idaho State University, where student pharmacists designed and implemented a pilot community project to address vaccine hesitancy among young adults.¹

The students noted that although clinical pharmacology is essential, medical care alone accounts for only 20% of a patient’s health outcomes. The remaining 80% is driven by social, economic, and environmental factors.

By identifying community support and educational background as primary influencers of vaccine hesitancy, student pharmacists demonstrated how emerging professionals can actively address nonmedical barriers to care.¹

READ MORE: Students’ Professional Growth Relies on AI Integration in Pharmacy School Curricula

Building Competency Through Longitudinal Curriculum Design

Integrating social determinants of health (SDOH) into pharmacy education requires structured and repeated exposure throughout the degree program.³

Research conducted at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy evaluated the impact of embedding longitudinal social care activities into skills-based and professional development course series.

Across a cohort of over 500 student pharmacists, those who completed the enhanced curriculum reported significantly higher confidence in their clinical abilities. Specifically, 51% of students in the updated curriculum strongly agreed that they could identify and address social barriers to improve health care delivery, compared with just 35% in previous graduating classes.³

These curricular enhancements utilized interactive case presentations, game-based learning focused on medication adherence, and required community service across underserved populations.

By reflecting on real-world patient interactions during debrief sessions, student pharmacists learned to navigate complex social structures alongside clinical decision-making. National organizations like the American Pharmacists Association now advocate for incorporating formal screening for social needs into standard pharmacy practice and academic coursework.³

Real-World Execution and Scalable Practice Models

Beyond academic settings, community pharmacies are proving that SDOH interventions can be successfully scaled and reimbursed within state health care systems. Data from the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network revealed that over 100 community pharmacies successfully documented and billed for more than 15,000 social risk screenings and referrals under Medicaid contracts.⁴

Using standardized electronic care plans and clinical coding, pharmacy teams addressed critical nonmedical needs, including food insecurity, financial strain, and transportation challenges. This fee-for-service and value-based framework proves that community-centric care is both clinically impactful and financially sustainable.

Innovative regional collaborations also illustrate how community network approaches improve outcomes for complex chronic conditions. In North Carolina, the Connect AF program brought together community pharmacies, health systems, payers, and industry partners to evaluate social needs among patients with atrial fibrillation.⁵

Pharmacists conducted targeted screenings that revealed mental health issues, housing instability, and transportation barriers as the top obstacles to medication adherence. By connecting patients with tailored support resources, pharmacists bridged critical gaps between primary care clinics and home environments.^4,5

Advancing Health Equity Through Interprofessional Partnerships

The physical accessibility of community pharmacies provides another distinct advantage in expanding public health reach across diverse demographics.^2,6

According to consumer survey data, nearly 60% of Americans are likely to seek nonemergency care at local pharmacies, where wait times average one-third of those at physician specialist offices. Guidelines from the CDC emphasize that pharmacists can maximize this accessibility by collaborating with community health workers.

The latter serves as culturally aligned liaisons who help reduce medical mistrust, navigate language barriers, and connect patients with vital local services. Expanding state scope of practice laws and establishing formal collaborative practice agreements further empower pharmacy teams to deliver comprehensive chronic disease management and preventive care.^2,6

As student pharmacists continue to step into these expanding public health roles, their early training ensures a future workforce ready to drive health equity across every community they serve.^1,3,4

READ MORE: Why Advocacy Is Essential for Independent Pharmacy Survival

REFERENCES

1. Pham V, Cleveland K, Nguyen E. Beyond the medications: student pharmacists in public health. JAPhA. September 1, 2026:103518. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2026.103518

2. Community-centric care: the pharmacist’s role in bridging healthcare gaps. Wolters Kluwer. April 15, 2025. Accessed September 15, 2026. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/community-centric-care-the-pharmacists-role-bridging-healthcare-gaps

3. Cernasev A, Shofoluwe A, Odum K, et al. Empowering student pharmacists through social determinants of health activities to address patient outcomes. Pharmacy (Basel). 2022 Dec 19;10(6):176. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy10060176

4. Nowosielski B. Pharmacies successfully scale paid SDOH services through Medicaid. Drug Topics. July 26, 2026. Accessed September 15, 2026. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/pharmacies-successfully-scale-paid-sdoh-services-through-medicaid

5. Liang D, Witkowski M, Abolins N, et al. Pharmacist-led community network approach addressing social needs and adherence (Connect AF). J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2026:103123. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2026.103123. PMID: 42092732

6. Public health strategies for pharmacists to improve health for people with chronic disease. CDC. September 8, 2026. Accessed September 15, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/cardiovascular-resources/php/public-health-strategy/index.html