Welfare to work? Impact of maternal health on employment.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated whether health problems among poor mothers of chronically ill children affect their ability to obtain and maintain employment.


METHODS
Mothers of children with chronic illnesses were surveyed at clinical and welfare agency sites in San Antonio, Tex.


RESULTS
There were distinct health differences according to mothers' TANF and employment status. Mothers without TANF experience reported better physical and mental health and less domestic violence and substance use than did those who had TANF experience. Those not currently working had higher rates of physical and mental health problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor maternal health is associated with need for cash assistance and health insurance. Policymakers must recognize that social policies promoting employment will fail if they do not address the health needs of poor women and children.
Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY 10032, USA. drr6@columbia.edu
Diana
D
Romero
Wendy
W
Chavkin
Paul H
PH
Wise
Lauren A
LA
Smith
Pamela R
PR
Wood
D000328:Adult; D000385:Aid to Families with Dependent Children / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D011203:Poverty; D011640:Public Policy; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology