What factors hinder women of color from obtaining preventive health care?
This commentary examines how women of color fare on the use of preventive care. Logistic regression models of women's use of preventive care were computed with data from the 1994 Commonwealth Fund Minority Health Survey. It was found that having a regular doctor was the most consistent predictor of the use of preventive care, irrespective of the women's racial/ethnic background, socioeconomic circumstances, or place of residence. These findings reinforce the importance of physicians in the delivery of preventive care. Suggestions for improving the use of preventive services by women of color are provided.
Cornelius
Llewellyn J
LJ
School of Social Work, The University of Maryland, 525 W Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. lcorneli@ssw.umaryland.edu
Smith
Pamela L
PL
Simpson
Gaynell M
GM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health