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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Cheryl Vamos, MPH, Stephanie Albright, BS, Emily Jolles, MPH, Ellen Daley, PhD, and Kay Perrin. Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, (813) 974-4176, cvamos@health.usf.edu

Background:

Underinsured/uninsured populations are among the most vulnerable groups in the US in terms of health status and outcome disparities, and women are at particular risk because of disproportionately living in poverty. A collaborative training program at the University of South Florida's Colleges of Public Health and Medicine, The Women's Health Collaborative, has developed a unique opportunity to allow students to gain experience assessing the health status of underserved/uninsured female patients attending Public Sector Medicine Clinics (PSMC).

Methods:

Public Health students administered a survey based on Healthy People (HP) 2010 objectives that assessed various women's health issues: access to care; perceived general health status; screening tests; physical activity; nutrition; obesity; violence; depression; and substance use.

Results:

Of the 232 women (19-85 years) surveyed, 46% (n=107) report that they do not see a health provider on a regular basis, 63% (n=142) do not engage in adequate exercise and 25% (n=51) of the women smoked in the past month. Mean weight of the women was 170 pounds, 62% (n=84) had body mass indexes >30 although most women perceived their weight as “slightly overweight.” Forty-three percent (n=97) and 26% (n=76) of women reported that they have felt sad for > 2 weeks in one period in the past year and in the past month, respectively.

Conclusion:

Women in these vulnerable populations may be at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Barriers to health care, including lack of insurance, may contribute to morbidity and mortality disparities of this population.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe barriers that underinsured/uninsured women face in receiving health care on a regular basis.
• To identify the risk factors that may place women attending Public Sector Medicine Clinics at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression.
• To recognize the importance of routine screening among women in the quest to eliminate disparities with respect to mortality and morbidity rates.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered