American journal of preventive medicine
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Women historically have had difficulty maintaining health insurance, obtaining preventive care, and affording care. The objectives of this study were to describe changes in insurance affordability, healthcare access, and preventive care for women of different income levels after implementation of the Affordable Care Act. ⋯ After implementation of the Affordable Care Act, women in all income groups, especially the lowest, reported greater affordability of coverage, access to health care, and receipt of preventive services. Efforts to alter the Affordable Care Act should consider the impact of policy changes on women's health and preventive care.
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The suicide rate in the U.S. has been increasing in recent years. Previous studies have consistently identified financial stress as a contributing factor in suicides. Nevertheless, there has been little research on the effect of economic policies that can alleviate financial stress on suicide rates. The purpose of this study is to determine whether increases in state minimum wages have been associated with changes in state suicide rates. ⋯ Increases in real minimum wages have been associated with slower growth in state suicide rates in recent years. Increasing the minimum wage could represent a strategy for addressing increases in suicide rates.