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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Electra D. Paskett, PhD¹, James L. Fisher, PhD², David Wheeler², Amy K. Ferketich, PhD¹, Pamela Salsberry, PhD³, Mack Ruffin, MD⁴, and Mary Ellen Wewers, PhD¹. (1) School of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 320 West 10th Avenue, A357 Starling Loving Hall, Columbus, OH 43210-1240, 614-293-7713, electra.paskett@osumc.edu, (2) Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 2050 Kenny Rd., Columbus, OH 43221, (3) College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Ave., 325 Newton Hall, Columbus, OH 43210, (4) Department of Family Practice, University of Michigan, 1018 Fuller St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with health outcomes. Methods of obtaining SES are varied and range from census information to individual-level responses. The goal of this study is to to compare self-reports of income, education, and insurance status among women attending one of 14 clinics in Appalachia Ohio to similar data from the U.S. Census and the Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). A random sample of 300 women aged 18+ years who were patients of 14 primary care clinics completed a face-to-face interview that collected information on demographic variables, lifestyle factors, and behavioral factors. Community-level indicators of SES were obtained from the Census 2000 Summary File 3 for the United States and included median household income in 1999, educational attainment among women aged 18+ years, and employment status. In addition, information concerning insurance status was obtained from the Ohio BRFSS. Individual-level responses were compared to the estimates obtained from the U.S. Census or Ohio BRFSS data using standard statistical tests. Of the 300 women, 16% had a college degree (compared to a Census estimate of 17.5%), 24% reported incomes over $50,000 (compared to a Census estimate of 18.7%), and 57% had private insurance. The implications of using each type of data source will be discussed. Implications can inform policy makers and health researchers about methods to examine these variables in underserved populations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Determine the extent to which a clinic-based sample is representative of the population with respect to measures of SES.
• Have an understanding of the SES of women in Appalachia Ohio.
• Discuss the limitations of using both individual and community-level indicators of SES.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Underserved Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No