The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63094

Mary Jo Larson, PhD, MPA¹, Lisa D. Miller, PhD, BSN¹, Luz Marillis Lopez, MSW, MPH², Hortensia Amaro, PhD³, and Annie Zhang, MPH¹. (1) Institute for Health Services Research and Policy, New England Research Institutes, 9 Galen Street, Watertown, MA 02472, 617 923 7747, mjlarson@neri.org, (2) Boston Public Health Commission, 211 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126, (3) Northeastern University, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Stearns Building, 503, Boston, MA 02115

Clients were recruited by nine program sites participating in SAMHSA’s national Women, Co-occurring Disorder and Violence (WCDV) Study. A total of 2,729 women completed in-person baseline interviews on various behaviors and attitudes including trauma history and symptoms, substance abuse and mental health treatment status and symptoms, physical health conditions and degree of impairment, overall health status and role functioning, and demographics. All women had current mental health, alcohol or drug problems, and a history of such problems as well experience of interpersonal trauma or other traumatic events. This paper compares women’s health status at baseline to drug use patterns, mental health status, and previous experiences of trauma.

The mean age of study women was 36 years (SD 9); approximately one-half self-reported their race as non-Caucasian (51.8%). The women had low socioeconomic status, with low levels of education, high underemployment, and low average income. Nearly one-half of women (45%) reported that their current health status was fair or poor and a substantial minority reported a physical health condition that had serious impact on their lives. These conditions included: infectious diseases (e.g., Hepatitis), arthritis and chronic back problems, fractures and other injuries, diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular disorders. A majority (56.6%) also reported they were prescribed at least one medication for a psychiatric problem, predominantly anti-depressants. Given that only 67% reported any health insurance coverage these women with serious conditions clearly faced barriers to gaining access to needed medical care.

Learning Objectives:

• The audience will be able to identify key health conditions that are linked to women clients’ problems with substance abuse and trauma and describe which conditions are associated with the most severe life impairments.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Co-morbid

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston Public Health Commission
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Boston Public Health Commission