Oral

Vaccination is a core public health procedure, as vaccines relieve human suffering in a highly cost effective manner. This session brings together several research streams investigating factors that affect the receipt of appropriate vaccinations in distinct populations. Two qualitative studies examine communication barriers between practitioners and populations in need. A study conducted among potentially disenfranchised patients (African-American, Hispanic, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender, and Russian immigrant communities) highlights the need these patients feel to receive prompt and respectful care, without which they will not return for recommended services. Taking the provider perspective, a second study examines the perspective of pediatric physicians attempting to convince vaccine-hesitant parents of the safety, efficacy and importance of pediatric vaccinations and highlights the information these providers would like to have in support of their patient education efforts. Immunization in general suffers when financial access, in the form of health insurance, is not available. Two studies on vaccination uptake, one looking at HPV vaccine and a second examining flu and pneumonia vaccination receipt, illustrate the importance of health insurance, as well as personal characteristics, as an enabling factor for this core public health need. Finally, recognizing that lack of health insurance is not a random occurrence, a detailed analysis of factors associated with short and long term gaps in health insurance coverage is offered. At risk populations, including low income persons, rural residents, and minority group members, are identified.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify the population sub-groups most at risk for lack of health insurance coverage. 2. Describe the effects of lack of insurance coverage on receipt of vaccinations for HPV, influenza and pneumonia. 3. Explain the types of communication barriers that providers and potentially disenfranchised patients commonly encounter.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)