Health Care for Women Inmates

Abstract

Rapidly increasing numbers of women incarcerated in the United States have created an overwhelming need for appropriate health services for these inmates despite limited resources. This article outlines the key health care issues associated with women inmates. We begin by examining the challenges posed by this population of inmates. Additionally, we investigate the provision of health care to these women and then evaluate the perceptions of that care from the perspective of the women and their care providers. We conclude with a discussion of policy-relevant considerations and suggest that realism should be the underlying premise of any health-related policy for women inmates. Specifically, we suggest that education and the treatment of communicable diseases become the most targeted health-related goals for women inmates, as it is inevitable that most of these women will eventually be released.

Gender Differences and the Effect of Copayments on the Utilization of Health Care in Prison

“…Background: Gender and Medical Care Utilization It has been consistently found that women require more health care services compared to men (Fearn & Parker, 2005;Goldkuhle, 1999;Nowotny, 2016;Owens, 2008). These gender disparities extend to preventive care utilization, with men significantly less likely to be vaccinated against the influenza virus or to have their blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked (Vaidya et al, 2012).…”