 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Elaine Rodriguez, MPH, Health, East Stroudsburg University, 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, 570-422-3727, elein55@hotmail.com, Alberto Jose Cardelle, PhD, MPH, Public Health Program, East Stroudsburg University, 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, and Victor rodriguez, Warren hospital, 125 roseburry streeet, philipsburg, NJ 08865.
This study provides valuable data on the health determinants of Latino populations living in a medium size metropolitan area (MA) in rural America. This paper identifies the role “social capital,” measured as involvement in community organizations, parental involvement in the school system, and access to the Internet, plays in attenuating the social determinants of health that affect Latinos. Little information exists regarding how social capital affects the health status and access to care for this group.
Data collected from 280 families on perceived individual and family health status, access to care, income, transportation, and usual source of care is cross-tabulated with indicators measuring the family’s connectedness to community assets.
The study was conducted in the MA’s of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and other municipalities within the Northampton and Lehigh Counties of East Central Pennsylvania. According to Census 2000, Latinos living in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton represent 20% or the population. This population also has 22% uninsured and projected to increase. Since the trend in this area resemble the trends across the country, it is important to understand how local community assets affect access to care in this population.
Preliminary findings show that social capital plays a positive role in individual’s knowledge of available services, with demanding more services, and with having a usual source of care. However social capital as measured by the study correlates negatively with self-perceived health status. The paper also discusses the validity of the indicators measuring social capital.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Latino, Access to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.