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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Theresa Ann Sipe, PhD, Danielle E. Ruedt, MPH, and Syreeta N. Skelton, MPA, BA. College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, Office of the Dean, Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 651-2973, nurtas@gsu.edu
Fatherhood Programs are gaining popularity across the nation and many states have one or more such programs. Fatherhood Programs are work initiatives that provide life skills and jobs skills to unemployed and underemployed noncustodial parents who are unable to pay child support. Georgia has a statewide Fatherhood program that receives 3000 referrals per year. Participants in this program are on average 31 years old, 81% African-American and 55% never-married. Forty-three percent enter the program employed; however job duration is typically less than one year. Thus, the majority of participants lack health insurance coverage. One leading health indicator of Healthy People 2010 is access to healthcare, which is often dependent upon employment that provides adequate income as well as health insurance. The purpose of this presentation is to educate community health planners and policy developers about fatherhood programs and the potential of these programs to provide access to minority men aged 19-45. While women of similar age access the healthcare system through childbearing, there is no corresponding event for men. Moreover, the participants in this program have significant health issues such as substance abuse and mental illnesses. After a discussion of the health care and employment barriers, the outcomes of Georgia’s statewide work initiative program will be presented.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Access to Health Care, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Evaluation funded by Georgia Department of Human Resources Contract numbers 427-930-2243 in 2000 and 427-93-25446 in 2001