At a Glance: WISEWOMAN. A Crosscutting Program to Improve the Health of Uninsured Women, 2006

摘要

During 1999-2002, 14% of U.S. women aged 40-64 did not have health insurance. Uninsured women are more likely to be members of minority racial and ethnic groups, to have less education, and to be poorer than insured women. Their ability to pay for health care is limited. Uninsured women may be especially vulnerable to cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases because they are more likely than insured women to smoke cigarettes and to be overweight. They also are less likely to engage in physical activity and to be aware of their cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Among women aged 40 years or older, 71% of those who are insured report having had a mammogram in the previous year, compared with only 46% of uninsured women. Uninsured U.S. adults also are less likely to be screened for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and to be advised by a health care professional to lose weight and quit smoking.