Provision of mental health services in women's health centers

Women's health centers are often associated with a comprehensive model of health care that treats the "whole woman." Using data from a nationwide study of 467 women's health centers, we explored how the ideal of comprehensive care was implemented with respect to mental health services. Specifically, we examined the rates of screening and treatment for a subset of mental health and behavioral and social problems in women's health centers and the structural, staffing, philosophical, and patient factors associated with the provision of services. Across 12 services, the overall rates of provision ranged from 7.7% for screening for dementing disorders to 27.6% for smoking cessation counseling and treatment. In a series of logistic regressions, center type (primary care) and having a mental health staff person were consistently associated with service provision; other important variables were having a high percentage of women using the center as their usual source of care and having a belief in women-centered care. Findings indicate that the majority of women using women's health centers do not receive services in a comprehensive care environment that includes key mental health services.     

Investigation of a spontaneous abortion cluster: development of a risk communication plan

A risk communication plan was developed for a group of payroll office workers who were investigated for a possible cluster of spontaneous abortions (SABs). Survey and focus group methods were used to assess the workers' attitudes, beliefs, and information preferences. We found that four features of the workforce needed to be considered in developing an effective plan: 1) subgroups of workers varied on their levels of concern, awareness, involvement, and definitions of the problem; 2) workers did not have the necessary knowledge concerning SABs or the scientific method to participate in a two-way communication; 3) workers were highly stressed; and 4) workers were distrustful that they would be told the truth about the SABs. A multicomponent risk communication strategy was developed to overcome these barriers. Specifically, we recommended that background information on SABs and the scientific method be presented before the report of the study results and that follow-up sessions should be conducted on job stress and the emotional aspects of miscarriages.     

Harm perception of nicotine products in college freshmen.

This study examined the association of sociodemographic characteristics and smoking behaviors (i.e., cigarette, cigar, and waterpipe) with nicotine product harm perception in college freshmen. Students were asked to compare the perceived harmfulness of 11 nicotine-delivering products with that of a regular cigarette. Data were from a cross-sectional Internet survey conducted during the spring 2004 semester at a private university (N = 411). Binomial logistic regression was used to determine the association between sociodemographic and behavioral factors with nicotine product harm perception. A statistically significant association was found between nicotine product harm perception and sex, race, income, citizenship, and smoking behavior (p< or =.05). Regarding the three medicinal nicotine replacement therapies, 19.6% of respondents incorrectly perceived the nicotine patch to be as harmful as or more harmful than a regular cigarette; corresponding values were 24.1% for nicotine gum and 52.9% for nicotine inhaler. Respondents incorrectly perceived the following smoked tobacco products to be less harmful than regular cigarettes: ultra-light cigarettes (40.4%), waterpipe (37%), light cigarettes (35.2%), cigarillos (17.4%), and cigars (16.9%). Regarding smokeless nicotine products, 89.3% of respondents incorrectly perceived dip and chew to be as harmful as or more harmful than regular cigarettes; corresponding values were 36.2% for nicotine lollipops and 35.2% for nicotine water. Our findings reveal misperceptions about nicotine product harmfulness and underscore the importance of developing a science base to inform policies and educate consumers about these products.     

Health care and the poor: Psychological implications of restrictive policies.

Describes a field experiment with 180 women (mean age 25.9 yrs) visiting an urban welfare office to examine the possible effects of 2 aspects of restrictive Medicaid policies: (a) the loss of choice of providers and (b) adverse patient mix (i.e., when the majority of a provider's clients are Medicaid beneficiaries). Results indicate that health care presented within the context of not having a choice was derogated and that choice and patient mix combined to influence intentions to seek care. Ss who did not choose the health plan in a simulated choice, who had fewer choices than expected, and who did not accept restricted choice also had negative perceptions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health policy.

The charge to the task force on health policy was to consider policy relevant to health and behavior. Legislative initiatives, private sector initiatives, and the interface among professional societies were addressed. More specifically, the task force discussed ways in which research must be conducted and presented to maximize its usefulness to policy makers, areas of interface between the behavioral sciences and health policy, and methods of training scientists to be more effective in shaping policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)