Citation

Danis M, Kotwani N, Garrett J, Rivera I, Davies-Cole J, Carter-Nolan P. J. Health Care Poor Underserved 2010; 21(4): 1318-1339.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Johns Hopkins University Press)

DOI

10.1353/hpu.2010.0929

PMID

21099082

Abstract

Abstract:Objectives. To determine the priorities of low-income urban residents for interventions that address the socio-economic determinants of health. Methods. We selected and estimated the cost of 16 interventions related to education, housing, nutrition, employment, health care, healthy behavior, neighborhood improvement, and transportation. Low-income residents of Washington, D.C. (N=431) participated in decision exercises to prioritize these interventions. Results. Given a budget valued at approximately twice an estimated cost of medical and dental care ($885), the interventions ultimately prioritized by the greatest percentage of individuals were: health insurance (95%), housing vouchers (82%) dental care (82%), job training (72%), adult education (63%), counseling (68%), healthy behavior incentives (68%), and job placement (67%). The percentages of respondents who received support for housing, adult education, and job training and placement were far less than the percentage who prioritized these interventions. Conclusions. Poor and low-income residents' priorities may usefully inform allocation of social services that affect health.

Language: en