Author: N/A
Date: 2004
Contact Information: N/A
Pages: 2
Content Summary
This fact sheet was compiled from information in the report, Making the Grade on Women's Health: A National and State-by-State Report Card which analyzes 34 indicators and 67 state policies related to women's health. The objective of the fact sheet is to address the significant differences in health risk factors, screening, certain diseases and conditions, pregnancy issues, and socioeconomics among women from different racial backgrounds including white, black, Hispanic/Latina, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Asian American/Pacific Islander. The report presents each racial group separately and describes the unique health advantages and disadvantages experienced by each group. The report also includes two tables one presents the "Top Five Causes of Death among U.S. Women by Race and Ethnicity" and the other displays the "Health Status Indicators for U.S. Women by Race and Ethnicity."
Major Findings
The report finds that white women have the most health advantages. They have the lowest rates for unintended pregnancy, maternal mortality, poverty, and lowest mortality rates from cervical cancer. They are most likely to be insured and have appropriate prenatal care. White women have the highest rates of breast cancer incidence and lung cancer mortality and the second highest rates of coronary heart disease and stroke. In contrast, the report shows that black women have the shortest life expectancy, highest poverty rates, most likely to be obese, and least likely to obtain prenatal care. While they have very high rates for obtaining preventive tests including Pap smears and mammograms, they have the highest mortality rates for coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Black women also have the highest rates for AIDS incidence, lung cancer incidence, unintended pregnancy, and maternal and infant mortality. Hispanic women have the highest percentage of uninsured women. They also have the second highest incidence of AIDS. In addition, they are also least likely to be screened for cervical cancer and have the highest incidence of cervical cancer and mortality. Hispanic women also report the greatest percentage of no leisure time activity. American Indian/Alaskan Native have the worst rates for the behavioral health risk factors smoking and binge drinking. They are also at the greatest risk for violence against them. Most of the findings were positive for Asian American/Pacific Islander women. They have the best preventive health behaviors such as not smoking and avoiding obesity. They also have the lowest rates for AIDS, infant mortality, breast cancer, coronary heart disease, and lung cancer. Unfortunately, they are excessively affected by cervical cancer and are least likely to report having recently had a Pap smear test.
Unaddressed Issues or Concerns
This report is very straightforward and simple. However, because of its simplicity it fails to address the issue of access. A 2004 study analyzed the racial disparities in the utilization of preventive health care services and suggested that the access to health care and insurance could be responsible for disparities (Sambamoorthi 480). Addressing the issue of access could explain some of the disparate rates especially for the preventive services, often underutilized, by minority women. Incorporating this information would allow the issue of disparity to be addressed.
Reference List
Sambamoorthi, U. and D. McAlpine. " Racial, Ethnic, Socioeconomic, and Access Disparities in the use of Preventive Services Among Women." Preventive Medicine. 37.5 (2003): 475-84.
How to Access Report http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/HRC04RacialDisparitiesFactSheet.pdf