Correlates of Preincarceration Health Care Use Among Women and Men in Jail.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Although women and men in jails bear a burden of health problems, little is known about factors associated with their health care use. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of preincarceration health care use with 596 jail inmates. Descriptive statistics and correlates of participants' health care use were assessed. A year before incarceration, 54% of participants used an emergency room, 24% were hospitalized, and 39% used primary care. Correlates of health care use included gender, health insurance status, and drug dependence. For participants without mental health problems, use was associated with living in neighborhoods where a higher percentage of residents did not complete high school. Findings suggest individual and community factors that can be targeted by reentry programs to improve health care use after jail.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Ramaswamy, M; Diaz, F; Pankey, T; Hunt, SL; Park, A; Kelly, PJ

Published Date

  • July 2015

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 21 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 286 - 297

PubMed ID

  • 26084950

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4489930

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1940-5200

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/1078345815588663

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States