Journal of health care for the poor and underserved
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J Health Care Poor Underserved · Feb 1998
Exploratory analysis of factors associated with teens' repeated childbearing.
This study was designed to explore the factors regarding unique determinants of repeat childbearing among teens. The influence that key people have on subsequent teen childbearing is examined. ⋯ Based on the results, repeated childbearing appears to occur within the context of poor parent-child relations, conflicting support for the roles teen mothers are expected to assume, limited social pressures for effective fathering, and limited access to social services for all family members. Pregnancy prevention efforts by agencies for teen mothers should coordinate services for the teen mother, her parent, and her partner.
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J Health Care Poor Underserved · Jan 1995
No insurance, public insurance, and private insurance: do these options contribute to differences in general health?
This paper examines the validity of two of the basic assumptions made about health care insurance and health, namely that having any insurance is associated with better health and, in particular, that having public, welfare-based insurance has better health consequences for the poor than does having no insurance. These questions were addressed using data from the National Medical Expenditure Survey, a national household-based survey in 1987 of more than 36,000 people who were asked to report in detail about their medical care use and expenditures, health insurance coverage, and health and functional status. The results of the analysis indicate that being without insurance is associated with having poorer general health compared to persons with private insurance, and that the health of persons who qualify for public insurance is the poorest of any group--poorer even than those without insurance.
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J Health Care Poor Underserved · Jan 1993
Review Historical ArticleThe African-American cancer crisis, Part II: A prescription.
To appreciate the causes of the African-American cancer crisis, contemporary myths and perceptual gaps regarding cancer in blacks must be analyzed and placed in historical context. Since ancient times, racism has permeated western scientific, medical, and social cultures. Yet contemporary analysts typically frame a 370-year-old African-American health deficit in nonracial terms, and ignore both the metamorphosis of racism and the impact of racism on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer; exposure to cancer-causing industrial pollutants; educational opportunities for black health professionals and policymakers, and other factors. If the African-American cancer crisis is to be halted, the growing divergence between urgent needs and meager resources devoted to preventing, detecting, and treating cancer in blacks must be sharply reversed.
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As our nation attempts to address the multiple health and social needs of children, it is obvious that the so-called safety net of services for children and families is currently not meeting their needs. Within the current dialogue over health care reform, the special needs of children and pregnant women must not be lost. This paper discusses basic components which should be included in any discussion of health care reform. Individualized personal involvement in the solution to the health and social problems of today's underserved children and families is crucial.