The SHA program has been a part of the University of California, Los Angeles experience since 1974 and is one of many organizations on campus that contributes to the increased quality, safety, and comfort of campus life. The SHA program works in conjunction with the Student Welfare Commission (SWC) and the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center to encourage and help students to develop healthy lifestyles and educate students on wellbeing.

The Student Health Advocates offer free, friendly, and convenient services including referrals, health information, health-related programming on campus and in the residential halls, and community health outreach programs. SHAs are trained to educate other students about various health issues including nutrition, substance abuse, fitness, sexual health, stress management, meditation, body image, and more. SHAs coordinate campus, all-hill, all-hall, and floor programs throughout the year to help UCLA students achieve a heightened awareness of their own health needs, to assume greater responsibility for their own health care, and to become involved in the planning and delivery of all aspects of health care.