PA Health Dept Survey shows healthcare disparities

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

health department survey shows impact of income, gender, other factors on health and access to

health care

harrisburg - a person's level of education, income and the cost of medical treatment play a role in how people gain access to health care, according to the results of the department of health's latest statewide survey.

the behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey queried more than 16,000 pennsylvanians about their health care, physical activity and nutrition, asthma, smoking, health screenings and other factors.

"the survey can tell us a lot about trends in the health of our citizens," said health secretary dr. calvin b. johnson. "for instance, we can evaluate who is not receiving recommended health screenings or needed care due to their lack of insurance or their inability to afford it. this type of information supports the need for health care reform, including governor rendell's 'cover all pennsylvanians' initiative to make affordable basic health insurance available to everyone in the state."

significant findings of the 2006 survey include:

• 30 percent of adults (ages 18-64) making less than $15,000 annually and 25 percent of adults (ages 18-64) with less than a high school education had no health insurance, compared to only 3 percent of adults making more than $75,000 annually and only 6 percent of adults (ages 18-64) with a college degree;
  
• more than 20 percent of black and hispanic adults in pennsylvania lacked health insurance, compared to only 11 percent of white adults;
  
• 22 percent of hispanic and 19 percent of black adults in pennsylvania were unable to see a doctor in the past 12 months when they needed to because of cost, compared to only 9 percent of white adults;
  
• 15 percent of men reported not having a personal health care provider, compared to only 7 percent of women; and
  
• 70 percent of men and 54 percent of women were overweight, but only 55 percent of overweight men were trying to lose weight, compared to 75 percent of overweight women....

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

sadly each of these items increase the likelihood of poverty