Health and Health Care Disparities Among Homeless Women |
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| Authors: | Cheryl Teruya PhD Douglas Longshore PhD Ronald M. Andersen PhD Lisa Arangua MPP Adeline Nyamathi ANP PhD FAAN Barbara Leake PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Integrated Substance Abuse Programs , University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California, USA;2. School of Public Health, Department of Health Services , University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California, USA;3. Department of Family Medicine , University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California, USA;4. School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California, USA |
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| Abstract: | While disparities in health and health care between vulnerable (e.g., minorities, low-income) and majority populations are well documented, less is known about disparities within these special populations that are large and diverse. Such knowledge is essential to determine the neediest within these generally needy populations, and to plan interventions to reduce their health and health care disparities. With data from 1,331 women residing in Los Angeles County California, in one of the largest, most comprehensive studies of the health of homeless women to date, this study examined the health and health care disparities among homeless African American, Latina, and white women. This study further explored if race/ethnicity and other factors that predispose homeless women to poor health, or enable them to obtain better health care, were associated with their unmet need for medical care. The study found that white, non-Latina women were more likely to report unmet need than African Americans and Latinas, and women suffering from drug abuse, violence, or depression were most in need of care. These findings should be considered in targeting and addressing the special needs of homeless women of different racial/ethnic groups. |
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| Keywords: | homeless women disparities health health care |
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