The State of Spartan Health

 

The State of Spartan Health is a set of data compiled from a survey designed to gauge the health and health behaviors of college students, with a focus on how those factors might impact their academic performance. The purpose is to enable university administrators to plan efforts to help students thrive, to evaluate past health-messaging efforts and interventions, and to inform students.

Michigan State University Student Health Services participates in the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey through our membership in the American College Health Association (ACHA). The NCHA was first conducted at MSU in the year 2000 and has been repeated every two years since then - in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021*, and the most recent survey was conducted in 2022.

The Office for Survey Research (OSR), through the MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) manages the NCHA survey. The office manages the sampling, respondent contacts, follow-ups, incentives, data weighting, analysis, and reporting.

*The survey was administered in 2021 as a special circumstance to examine the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the MSU student population.

See more information about our NCHA 2021 findings in the video below.

 

  • About the State of Spartan Health Survey

    The questionnaire covers a diverse set of health-related topics including perceived health status, sexual behaviors and beliefs, alcohol-tobacco-other drug behavior and beliefs, injury prevention, disease prevention and screening, victimization, exercise and rest, emotional and mental health, incidents of disease or injury, incidents of stressors, sources and credibility of health information, and background questions. 

    The data collected from the NCHA survey is meant to help MSU faculty & staff, students, and parents better understand health trends, identify emerging problems, report behavioral norms, identify risk factors to safety and academic performance, prioritize student health care issues, allocate resources for programming, design new programs, and evaluate current strategies.

    Some of the data is also used for our Social Norms campaign on campus, which is commonly referred to as “The Duck Campaign.” The campaign is designed to promote a better understanding of the true norms surrounding alcohol use by the MSU student population and challenges the prevailing myths and misperceptions which often lead to higher risk consumption.

    For more information about the NCHA survey, see our FAQ section. For an overview of data collected in different topic areas on the NCHA Survey, please see the Fact Sheets linked below. The full MSU NCHA 2022 Report is linked below.

    NCHA 2022 Report (PDF)

Click on a link below for more in-depth information on the given topic area:

  • NCHA FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions about the NCHA Survey

    What is NCHA?

    Who uses NCHA?

    Does timing and sampling methodology make a difference?

    How long has NCHA been conducted at MSU?

    What questions are on the survey?

    How are the questions administered?

    Who manages the survey on campus? Where is NCHA analyzed?

    Shouldn't I be skeptical about this research?

    Who is chosen to take the survey?

    What is the sample size?

    What is the margin of sampling error? What does that mean?

    What is the response rate for NCHA? If it’s low, won’t this be biased?

    I am sure students lie on the survey, how is that controlled?

    Is the survey anonymous?

    What does it mean to have ‘weighted data’?

    Where can I find the full report?

    How does the data get used at MSU?


    What is NCHA?

    NCHA is the National College Health Assessment Survey, conducted through Student Health and Wellness' membership in the American College Health Association (ACHA).

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    Who uses NCHA?

    Nearly 500 campuses nationwide administer NCHA and about 150 campuses administer the survey annually.

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    Does the timing and sampling methodology make a difference?

    Yes, the gold standard for methodology is probability samples (what we use) on campus. Timing is also crucial to administering the survey. Data indicates that students’ behaviors differ at various points over the academic year. To control for variations, we keep the timing consistent by administering the survey over the same time period every two years. This is the reason we don’t compare our results to other campuses; while our methodology and timing are consistently done, other universities do not control for methodology and timing.

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    How long has NCHA been conducted at MSU?

    The NCHA was first conducted at MSU in 2000 and has been repeated every two years since then (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021*, and 2022).

    *The survey was administered in 2021 as a special circumstance to examine the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the MSU student population.

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    What questions are on the survey?

    The questionnaire covers a diverse set of health-related topics including perceived health status, sexual behaviors and beliefs, alcohol-tobacco-drug behavior and beliefs, injury prevention, disease prevention and screening, victimization, exercise and rest, emotional and mental health, incidents of disease or injury, incidents of stressors, sources and credibility of health information, and background questions.

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    How are the questions administered?

    A pre-notification letter is initially sent to students, encouraging them to participate in the survey. A day or so later, those same students are sent an email invitation by ACHA containing a web-link to the survey. Those who don’t respond to the initial invitation are given a reminder 4-6 days later. One or two additional follow-up reminders are sent subsequently to any who still have not responded.

    The survey is currently administered as a web survey. MSU uses the ACHA-NCHA II version of the survey; this is a revised version with additional questions to monitor a variety of health constructs. The earlier version of the survey (ACHA-NCHA I) was administered from 2000-2008 and was converted to a web survey in 2006.

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    Who manages the survey on campus? Where is NCHA analyzed?

    The Office for Survey Research (OSR), through the MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) manages NCHA. The office manages the sampling, respondent contacts, follow-ups, and incentives. Data weighting, analysis, and reporting are completed by Dr. Larry Hembroff, MSU Senior Research Specialist Emeritus and former Director of the Office for Survey Research. Click here to access the full NCHA 2022 Report.
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    Shouldn’t I be skeptical about this research?

    Healthy skepticism is prudent for any research. This is precisely why every scientific peer-reviewed journal requires that the authors explain the procedure (samples, data, analyzing, etc.) so the research/study can be evaluated and there are methods to use for reliability.

    If the methodology of the survey isn’t flawed or is reasonably done, it is possible that even if we have random samples for the survey, there could be a particular sample that is an abnormality. However, the probability of this is low, and hence why confidence intervals exist. We have conducted 12 surveys over a 22 year period and they continue to produce very similar results on questions across time, which is reason to believe these surveys are tapping into truth and real facts amongst our student population.

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    Who is chosen to take the survey?

    On February 10, 2022 a stratified random sample of 5,000 MSU students were sent a pre-notification email and encouraged to participate. On February 12, 2022 the same sample was sent an e-mail invitation from ACHA containing a web-link to the survey. The survey ran from that date until March 1st, 2022.

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    What is the sample size?

    A total of 1,157 weighted cases were used for the NCHA in 2022. The overall response rate was 17%. The sample size has varied across years, ranging from 773 to 1,700 respondents.

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    What is the margin of sampling error? What does that mean?

    The margin of sampling error for 2022 was +/- 2.8% or less. This is the probable range of possible discrepancies that could exist between the sample statistics (the MSU students that responded to NCHA) and the corresponding population (all MSU students).

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    What is the response rate for NCHA? If it’s low, won’t this be biased?

    The response rate for NCHA in 2022 was 17%. Similar to the sample size, the response rate varies from year to year. If there is a low response rate, the results won’t necessarily be biased. If those who answer are systematically different than those who don’t answer, then it would be biased. Alternatively, if those who are able to respond and do are similar to others who don’t respond—it won’t be biased at all.

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    I am sure students lie on the survey, how is that controlled?

    We have administered the NCHA at MSU 12 times over a 22 year period. The questions have remained the same and the results for a wide variety of health issues (e.g., drug use, exercise, weight/height, sexual activity, various illnesses, vaccinations, etc.) continue to produce remarkably similar results from survey to survey. This is especially true on issues where we know of no outside influences (e.g., change in university policy, targeted campaigns to promote vaccines or reduce drinking, economic downturns affecting healthcare access/costs, increased internet access, epidemics, etc.). Where such outside influences are known to be operating, the pattern of change in the student responses corresponds to the changes those influences would be expected to produce.

    If the results are consistent with what we (researchers) expected, is this because these outside influences really did influence the students OR, because the students are just trying to fool us by giving answers they think we want rather than what is really true? If they were lying to tell us what we wanted to find, how did they decide how many of them should lie to produce the appropriate false result we were looking for and not so many as to produce a wild and completely incredible false result? Such a conspiracy would have to be very great and broad-based (and very publicly known) since, because of the random sampling done among all students, very few of the respondents within each survey could possibly know each other to plan such a conspiracy behind closed doors. Further, the conspiracy would have to reach across years and be able to withstand the changeover of the student population at least twice in a decade.

    There are quite important potential sources of error on the part of respondents in answering survey questions. The errors can be the result of question misinterpretation, failure to keep track of the time period being referred to, memory and recall errors, tabulation errors (e.g., lost count of the number of drinks, counted 16 oz. drinks as one drink (12 oz.) rather than 1.3 drinks), etc., but this is quite different from saying that the respondents lie. If the errors made on a question across all the various respondents are as much over-reports as underreports (i.e., the errors are random), then the overall result will still be accurate in the aggregate as a description of the population.

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    Is the survey anonymous?

    Yes—at the front end of conducting the survey, we know who was in the sample because they were invited to participate and we are able to see whether or not they responded. However, once we have the data set, there is no identifier that links responses to any specific individual.

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    What does it mean to have ‘weighted data’?

    Because some segments of the student body are somewhat over- or under-represented among respondents, the data set has been weighted based on gender, race/ethnicity, and academic class status so that the final weighted sample more nearly matches and is more representative of the proportions of these groups in the MSU student body as a whole.

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    Where can I find the full report?

    Click here to access the full NCHA 2022 Report

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    How does the data get used at MSU?

    The data collected from the NCHA survey is meant to help MSU, parents, and students better understand health trends, identify emerging problems, report behavioral norms, identify risk factors to safety and academic performance, prioritize student health care issues, allocate resources for programming, design new programs, and evaluate current strategies.

    Some of the data is also used for our Social Norms campaign on campus, which is often referred to as “The Duck Campaign" or just "The Ducks". The campaign promotes a better understanding of alcohol use by the MSU student population and challenges the prevailing myths and misperceptions which often lead to higher risk consumption.

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  • Academic Impediments

    Click on the image to open a PDF outlining some of the NCHA 2022 data regarding the top impediments to academic performance for MSU students.

    MSU NCHA 2020 Factsheet - Impediments to Academic Success

    Many issues — not just academics — can influence a student's success in college. Some (e.g., extracurricular activities, internet use) are within their power to prevent or control, and others (e.g., financial difficulties, death of a loved one) are not. Students can learn to cope with these challenges effectively, and the university is committed to supporting them along the way.

    Notably:

    • 67% of MSU Students experienced stress last year, and 30% reported that stress seriously impacted their academic performance.

    • 49% of MSU students experienced sleep difficulties last year, and 21% reported that it seriously impacted their academic performance.

    • 33% of MSU students said personal appearance was an issue that was very difficult or traumatic. Among female-identifying students, 41% report dealing with this issue.

     

    What We're Watching

    The percentage of students for whom personal appearance was very difficult or traumatic has doubled since 2010 — and much of the increase has occurred since 2020.

    Anxiety has steadily increased for more than 10 years, peaking in 2021 at 71 percent of students reporting having experienced overwhelming anxiety. In 2022, the number declined slightly to 69 percent.

    The number of drinks students report consuming when they last partied has decreased by nearly half over the past 20 years. Drinking significantly declined during the pandemic. Students reported having more drinks in 2022, but still fewer than pre-pandemic levels.

    The top 5 impediments to academic performance are stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, depression, and illness.

  • Alcohol

    Click on the image to open a PDF outlining some of the NCHA 2022 data about alcohol use among MSU students.

    image of MSU NCHA 2020 Alcohol Fact Sheet

    While it’s common for college students to use alcohol, the data shows that most MSU students drink responsibly. Still, it’s important that students have accurate information about alcohol in order to prevent high-risk use, which is often associated with many of the most serious failures, traumas and disappointments students experience while in college.

    Notably:

    • 67% of MSU Students most of the time or always track how many drinks they consume when they party.

    • 89% of MSU Students most of the time or always use a designated driver if they have been partying.

    • 32% of MSU Students chose not to drink at all in the past 30 days, up from 29% in 2020.

    What We’re Watching

    Alcohol use steadily declined among undergraduate students between 2012 and 2020 and remained relatively flat between 2020 and 2022. Over the past 20 years, the average blood alcohol content among undergraduate students the last time they partied declined by nearly half.

    The number of students who reported doing something while drinking that they later regretted increased from about 30 percent in 2021 to about 38 percent in 2022.

    The percent of students who reported they had sex without giving consent after drinking doubled from 1.2 percent in 2021 to 2.4 percent in 2022.

  • Emotional Wellness

    Click on the image to open a PDF outlining some of the NCHA 2022 data about the emotional wellness of MSU students.

    image of MSU NCHA 2020 Factsheet - Emotional Wellness

    Nationally, college students report high levels of anxiety and depression, and students at Michigan State University are no different. Stress is also a major impediment to academic success, and can lead to sleep difficulties that can exacerbate depression and anxiety.

    Mental health can also have a significant impact on physical health - often affecting energy levels, the immune system and more. Helping students practice coping skills to manage stress; like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and incorporating movement into each day is a good first step toward supporting their mental health.

    Notably:

    • 87% of MSU Students reported feeling overwhelmed at least once in the past year, down from 89% in 2021.

    • 45% of MSU Students said that they felt so depressed that it was difficult to function at least once during the school year. Down from 47% in 2021.

    • 71% of MSU Students reported feeling very sad or very lonely (67%) at least once in the past year.

    What Were Watching

    After peaking during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety, depression and feeling overwhelmed appear to have begun stabilizing in 2022. Rates of all three issues have been steadily rising for nearly 10 years.

    The number of students who reported they seriously considered suicide at least once in the past year saw an above-average increase in 2021, with 13.8 percent of students reporting they had considered it. In 2022, that number decreased to 9.8 percent, which remains elevated from pre-pandemic years.

  • Fitness & Nutrition

    Click on the image to open a PDF outlining some of the NCHA 2022 data regarding fitness and nutrition among MSU students.

    image of MSU NCHA 2020 Factsheet - Fitness & Nutrition

    Studies show that the average weight gain for a college freshman is less than four pounds, thereby debunking the myth of the “freshman 15.”

    Regular exercise can improve mental and physical health; fight depression, anxiety and stress; improve mood, self-esteem, energy and quality of sleep; and help form connections with new people.

    Notably:

    • 68% of MSU Students describe themselves as being at their correct weight or slightly underweight.
    • 30% of MSU Students reported trying to lose weight even though they were not overweight.
    • 41% of MSU Students did muscle-strengthening or toning exercises two or more days in the past week.

     

    What We’re Watching

    About one in three students reported being slightly or very overweight, yet nearly half of Michigan State University students reported making an effort to lose weight by exercising, dieting or other methods.

    About two-thirds of students reported participating in vigorous exercise or 20 minutes or moderate exercise for 30 minutes three or more times per week, an increase of nearly 10 percent since 2021. The increase indicates students have returned to pre-pandemic levels of exercise.

  • Sexual Health

    Click on the image to open a PDF outlining some of the NCHA 2022 data regarding the sexual health of MSU students.

    MSU NCHA 2020 Factsheet - Sexual Health

    It’s important that students weigh the possible benefits and risks of being sexually active, being careful to maintain a balance with their physical and emotional health, their goals, other relationships and feelings about themselves.

    Students who are sexually active should select the contraceptive methods that are right for them and be sure to be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as key strategies to maintain their sexual health.

    Notably:

    • 33% of MSU Students reported having no sexual partners – up from 30% in 2020.
    • 81% of MSU Students used some form of contraception the last time had intercourse.
    • 24% of MSU Students have been tested for HIV.

    What We’re Watching

    Two out of three MSU students reported ever having vaginal intercourse. Less than a half of one percent of students reported unintentionally becoming or getting someone else pregnant in the past 12 months.

    Most students (about 77 percent) chose not to have oral, vaginal or anal sex or had only one partner in the past 12 months. More students reported having more than two partners in 2022 than in 2021, though the number decreased slightly each year in the preceding 10 years.

  • Top Ten Wellness Matters

    The MSU Student Health & Wellness “Top Ten Wellness Matters for Personal and Academic Success” brochure contains information about the top ten health and wellness issues that MSU students may face when they come to campus. It is designed to help incoming freshmen become familiar with these issues and their prevalence at MSU, why they matter, and how to best prepare to manage them.

    To review the most recent version of the brochure, produced in 2021, please click below:

    Top Ten Wellness Matters Brochure

  • Past Presentations

    State of Spartan Health 2021: Pandemic Influences on Academic Success

    August 5, 2021
    Presented by: Dennis Martell, PhD, Jordyn Salerno, MA

    Missed the presentation? Click here or watch below to see the recording.

    In the presentation, we discussed these and other questions: 

      • What health-related issues most impacted the academic performance of MSU students during the pandemic?
      • How did the pandemic and learning virtually impact students when it came to sex, drugs and alcohol use?
      • How have students changed – or not – in matters related to health in the last year compared to trends observed over the last 20 years?
      • What did students tell us about their mental health over the last year?
      • What have we learned about student behavior and what do we need to keep in mind as they return?

      


     

    2020 State of Spartan Health

    February 5, 2021
    Presented by: Larry Hembroff, Ph.D.

    Missed the presentation? You can watch it here

    In the presentation, we discussed these and other questions: 

    • What health-related issues most impact the academic performance of MSU students?
    • What do students really do when it comes to sex, drugs, and alcohol?
    • What is the mental health status of our students and what services are they using to get help? 
    • How have students changed — or not — in matters related to health over the past 20 years?

    To see the post-presentation Q&A, click here.