Papers, Presentations & Final Reports
Women's Health Issues In Georgia: Key Informant Interview Study
Authors: Rebecca M. Mullis, PhD, RD, LD, Teresa B. Kaley, RD, LD, and Marilyn Hughes, PhD, RD, LD
Title: Women's Health Issues In Georgia: Key Informant Interview Study
Executive Summary prepared June 25, 2003: The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions of health care and insurance industry professionals regarding health care concerns, current levels of medical services, and resources and policies needed to improve health and health care delivery for women ages 45 and older in Georgia. A total of 31 key informant interviews were conducted with physicians, nurses, physician's assistants, pharmacists, and health insurance representatives in six study sites: Albany, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, and Waycross, Georgia. Data from the interviews revealed the following key findings.
Health Care Concerns: The most commonly cited health concerns for women in this age group were lack of health insurance and money to obtain health care and prescription medications, obesity and related diseases, cancer, and menopausal symptoms and treatments.
Patient Knowledge: Health information is widely available in all study locations, but many women do not access the information or cannot understand it due to low education and literacy levels or inability to speak or read English. Women need information about practicing preventive health care, how to access free or low-cost health care services, and how to recognize risk signs and symptoms of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Information must be given in a language women understand, culturally sensitive, and using simple words with no medical jargon. Writing should be at or below a fourth grade level, and pictures and posters may work best. Information must be placed at locations that women normally access, such as the grocery stores and laundromats.
Priorities Assessment: Priorities for women ages 45 and older are to obtain affordable health insurance and prescription drug coverage, reduce obesity and related diseases, increase the number of women getting annual physicals and early treatment of diseases, and improving women's socio-economic and health status through education programs.
Summary: Interview data obtained from public sector and private sector health care professionals agreed that having health insurance, practicing preventive health care by modifying lifestyle behaviors and accessing available health care are key to improving women's health. There are many challenges related to women's socio-economic and minority status. Poor working women and many retired women cannot afford health insurance, health care, or prescription medicines. Language, culture, low educational levels, and lack of transportation are also barriers to obtaining health care. Immigrant health care in Georgia is inadequate and the need for bi-lingual, culturally competent health care workers is growing. Respondents in most of the study areas indicated that their communities have adequate medical facilities and health care professionals from all medical specialties. However, some areas report a shortage of OB/GYN physicians, and more female and African American physicians are needed. Failure of women to access screening tests and early stage treatment, along with not taking chronic disease medications results in higher morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Solutions for these problems must combine public and private funding. Existing indigent health care and drug programs in some Georgia areas and other states can serve as models for the rest of Georgia.
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