 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Rachel Kimerling, PhD, National Center for PTSD, Palo Alto VA Healthcare System, 795 Willow Road, 352-117, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 650-493-5000 x23218, rachel.kimerling@med.va.gov and Nikki L. Baumrind, PhD, MPH, Research and Evaluation Branch, California Department of Social Services, 714 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a widespread and under-recognized cluster of reactions to overwhelming stressful experiences. The disorder is more than twice as common among women as men. These women experience nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged from others. The severity and chronicity of PTSD pose a significant impairment to health and functioning. We present findings from the 2001 California Women’s Health Survey that illustrate the prevalence of PTSD among California women and the context in which these women must cope with these symptoms. California women experience similar rates of PTSD to women nationally, and 28% of California women experienced some current symptoms. Sexual assault, partner violence, and childhood trauma are prevalent among women with PTSD symptoms. Poverty is the major context for PTSD, where the odds of PTSD symptoms increased for each income level. Odds of PTSD symptoms for women with the lowest household incomes were 3.36 (3.34, 3.40), when compared to the highest household incomes. A significant portion of women experiencing symptoms of PTSD were caring for young children, and 43% of women who were heads of households with children were currently suffering from PTSD symptoms. Poverty and family as contexts for PTSD are discussed in relation to health status and access to health and mental health care. These data point to salient service needs and points of intervention for women suffering from PTSD symptoms.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Mental Health, Women's Health
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.