The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64071

Crystal L. Jenkins, MPH¹, Jessica Muilenburg, MPH², Mark Dignan, PhD, MPH¹, and David Coombs, PhD². (1) Prevention Research Center, University of Kentucky, 2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite B100, Lexington, KY 40504, 859.296.6630 X226, cjenkins@prc.uky.edu, (2) Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, 105 Norridge Place, Pelham, AL 35124

The purpose of this study was to assess health status of residents in urban, African-American neighborhoods, specifically: health care access, use of screening services, housing and neighborhood characteristics, and social support. Female heads of household were interviewed to evaluate the items listed above (N=363) in Birmingham, AL. Almost half of these women reported their health status as being “Good” (49.0%), followed by “Fair” (31.4%), with “Excellent” (11.0%), and “Poor” (8.5%) receiving the lowest number of responses. A high percentage (80%) of respondents reported that they had a physical examination during the past year. An overwhelming number of women reported having a Pap smear test within the past year (90.1%), and 62.8% of women reported having mammograms within the past year. Only 48% reported having colorectal cancer screening. At least 74% of the respondents reported at least some degree of insurance coverage. Most study participants reported relatively positive health status, good or fair access to basic health care and, good or fair rates of utilization for most basic screening/preventive services. Churches were the most common type of group to which respondents belonged, followed by community betterment groups, tenant’s associations and social groups. Most participants gave positive ratings of their housing situation and personal safety and neither seemed to affect the overall health of these women. However, being unable to drive an automobile and being older were related and these two characteristics together were also negatively related to some types of cancer screening behavior as well as perceived health status.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Describe self-reported health status of urban African-American women. 2.Discuss the effect of housing and neighborhood conditions on health status. 3.Identify characteristics that negatively affect the self-reported health status of urban African-American women.

Keywords: African American, Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.