Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108028

Mohsen Bazargan, PhD, Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University, 12021 S. Wilmington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90059, 3106684641, mobazarg@cdrewu.edu, Jose L. Calderon, MD, Biomedical Research Center-RCMI, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th Street, MP-30, Los Angeles, CA 90059, Kevin C. Heslin, PhD, Research Centers in Minority Institutions, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059, Christina Mendez, PhD, University of California, 2594 Industrial Way, Lynwood, CA 90095, M. A. Shaheen, MD, PhD, MS, MPH, Research Center in Minority Institution, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059, Jennifer Ahdout, BS, Charles R. Drew University, Research Centers in Minority Institutions, University of California, Los Angeles, 2594 Industrial Way, Lynwood, CA 90095, and Richard S. Baker, MD, RCMI, Charles R. Drew University, 1731 E. 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059.

Objective: This study provides a profile of chronic mental and physical conditions among African- American and Latino children in urban public housing communities in Los Angeles, California. Methods: We employed a random sample of 287 heads of households supporting 456 children at three urban public housing communities. Results: The findings suggest that minority children residing in public housing are one of the more severely health-compromised groups among underserved communities. Children of Latino and African American families in our sample are 2-4 times more likely to suffer from chronic physical and mental conditions than the general population. The top five childhood chronic conditions reported by parents for one or more children in their households were asthma (32%), eye/vision problems (24%), dental problems (16%), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (17%), and depression (8%). Conclusion: This study documents significant health disparities in this population and strongly suggests the need for future investigations in similar settings nationwide.

Learning Objectives:

• The top five childhood chronic conditions among children residing in public housing.
• Children of Latino and African American families in public housing are 2-4 times more likely to suffer from chronic conditions than the general population.
• As one of the more severely health-compromised groups among underserved communities, the health care needs of minority children residing in public housing must be prioritized.

Keywords: Public Housing, Minority Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.