255305 Multiplicative Effect of Incarceration on the Health of Vulnerable Populations

Monday, October 29, 2012

Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, MA, MS , Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
The primary aim of this presentation is to explicate the specific mechanisms through which incarceration affects health. Guided by theories that emphasize the intersectional, cumulative and compounding nature of inequality, an exploration of these mechanisms is undertaken in order to create a better understanding of the types of issues that are faced by incarcerated individuals in the prison environment, after release, and via macro-level legislation. This paper fills a gap in the literature and presents a hypothetical comprehensive model that describes the specific pathways through which incarceration acts a catalyst for worsening health. Finally, implications for policy and intervention programs that serve to address negative health among incarcerated populations are discussed.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
The primary aim of this presentation is to explicate the specific mechanisms through which incarceration affects health. Guided by theories that emphasize the intersectional, cumulative and compounding nature of inequality, an exploration of these mechanisms is undertaken in order to create a better understanding of the types of issues that are faced by incarcerated individuals in the prison environment, after release, and via macro-level legislation. This paper fills a gap in the literature and presents a hypothetical comprehensive model that describes the specific pathways through which incarceration acts a catalyst for worsening health. Finally, implications for policy and intervention programs that serve to address negative health among incarcerated populations are discussed.

Keywords: Jails and Prisons, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conceptualized and wrote the entire paper/submission myself.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3089.0: Medical Care Poster Session 4: Jail and Prison Health