One-third of U. S. adults do not have adequate health literacy to manage their health care needs; and low health literacy is a major concern due to its association with poor health outcomes, high health care costs, and health communication problems. Low health literacy is a potential driver of health disparities, and its alleviation is central to…

This study investigated the association between multimorbidity and persistent depression among cohorts of veterans with diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension. The retrospective longitudinal analysis used national administrative data on around 1.38 million Veteran Health Administration clinic users merged with Medicare claims data.…

Parents of children with long-term emotional or behavioral conditions often struggle to access and afford mental health services for their children. This article examines the parent-reported reasons for unmet mental health needs in children using the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, specifically investigating whether…

Using a representative national sample (N = 20,745), this article explores health and mental health needs, service use, and barriers to services among sexual minority youths (SMYs) and heterosexual peers. SMYs were defined by ever having a same-sex romantic attraction or having a recent same-sex romantic relationship or sexual partner. SMYs…

Numerous studies acknowledge that the well-being of our nation hinges on the health of its people. There is specific concern about children because they represent the future. Ignoring children's health needs can compromise their educational preparedness, occupational pursuits, productivity, and longevity. Current science demonstrates that…

Introduces analytic framework that classifies types of health problems that emerge among shelter residents and serves as guide to social work intervention with health problems of shelter residents. Framework covers three categories of health problems: illnesses coincident with homelessness, those exacerbated by limited health care access, and…

This article describes the barriers to Asian Americans' ability to use health care services and analyzes the reasons for the health care system's inability to respond to their needs. Finally, it urges social work to contribute to the system's responsiveness and suggests approaches to social work intervention with and on behalf of Asian Americans.…

Needs assessment survey of 268 polio survivors explored incidence of postpolio syndrome and perceived need for and access to social and health care services. Large proportion of respondents reported experiencing postpolio syndrome. Most perceived that they had no access to knowledgeable physicians or social and health care services, and most were…

Surveyed 80 Latina mothers to obtain data on reasons for emergency room visit, usual sources of care, child's health, and mother's physical and psychosocial health. Results revealed clear pattern of delayed care for acute problems in children, high number of reported barriers to pediatric care, and high mental distress reported by mothers.…

Despite having similar or better potential access to health care, women with disabilities experience worse health care and worse preventive care than nondisabled women. This study examined the health care of a national probability sample of 8,721 disabled and 45,522 nondisabled women living in the United States. Logistic regression models,…

Interviewed social workers in Nigeria and 127 patients suffering from childbirth injuries of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), debilitating and chronic condition whereby woman leaks urine uncontrollably and experiences grave social consequences. Crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, fighting stigma, and discharge planning similar to American…

Conducted study in four school-based health clinics in large midwestern city. Results document use of the clinic for multiple issues and provide statistical support for the clinical impressions of the staff that students, despite their stated reason for visiting the clinic, were equally likely to have other physical and mental health problems.…

Investigates the health status of 310 homeless and marginally housed people to determine the usefulness of mental health self-help agencies (SHAs) in addressing their physical health needs. Findings indicated that frequencies of health problems among respondents were similar to those of other homeless or marginally housed groups and that the study…

Discusses the psychological states associated with enhanced immune system functioning and those associated with suppressed immune functioning. Reviews studies of psychological and behavioral interventions to boost the immune systems of people who are HIV positive. Suggests that group interventions can enhance psychological states associated with…

Interviewed 44 women who did not obtain prenatal care. Identified four categories of reasons for nonuse: women's lifestyles differed from mainstream; stressful events took priority over prenatal care; women attempted to receive care but were discouraged, turned away, or given poor information by service delivery system personnel; and women did not…