Abstract
The number of medically uninsured people in the United States rose from 46 million in 2008 to an astonishing 50.7 million
in 2009. This population is unable to seek medical care due, in part, to the decrease in employment-based health insurance
and the increase in the cost of health care. Free health clinics exist to ensure access to health care by providing a safety
net for underserved populations, ultimately decreasing health disparities among people of different socioeconomic statuses.
The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic characteristics of the uninsured people who utilized a free health
clinic and the purpose for their visits. Investigators gathered information from over 2,000 hand-written medical records to
determine whether the demographic characteristics and health conditions of the uninsured differed from the general population.
While there was no predominate medical condition in this population, special attention is needed to the prevention of smoking
and obesity among the uninsured. This uninsured population had a significantly higher rate of smoking (P < 0.01) and obesity (P < 0.05) than the general population. In addition to treatment for medical conditions, 1 in 4 patients came for a physical
exam. This study adds to the literature by describing characteristics of a free clinic population and their medical conditions.
This research can contribute to the improvement of a health care delivery system that is challenged in providing access to
medical care by low-income and uninsured populations.
in 2009. This population is unable to seek medical care due, in part, to the decrease in employment-based health insurance
and the increase in the cost of health care. Free health clinics exist to ensure access to health care by providing a safety
net for underserved populations, ultimately decreasing health disparities among people of different socioeconomic statuses.
The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic characteristics of the uninsured people who utilized a free health
clinic and the purpose for their visits. Investigators gathered information from over 2,000 hand-written medical records to
determine whether the demographic characteristics and health conditions of the uninsured differed from the general population.
While there was no predominate medical condition in this population, special attention is needed to the prevention of smoking
and obesity among the uninsured. This uninsured population had a significantly higher rate of smoking (P < 0.01) and obesity (P < 0.05) than the general population. In addition to treatment for medical conditions, 1 in 4 patients came for a physical
exam. This study adds to the literature by describing characteristics of a free clinic population and their medical conditions.
This research can contribute to the improvement of a health care delivery system that is challenged in providing access to
medical care by low-income and uninsured populations.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-011-9470-7
- Authors
- Stephen J. Notaro, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Marium Khan, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Nina Bryan, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Christina Kim, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Theresa Osunero, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Mary Grace Senseng, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Megan Eiten, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Kinnary Desai, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Mohammed Nasaruddin, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois, 124A Huff Hall, MC 588, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145