Incarceration and Inequality in Healthcare Utilization

• In Event: Barriers and Pathways to Healthcare for Justice-Involved Community Members

Abstract

While much is known about the deleterious health consequences of incarceration, less is known about the utilization of healthcare among formerly incarcerated individuals. Our study examines the relationship between incarceration and healthcare utilization using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We also examine potential mechanisms linking incarceration to healthcare utilization, with a specific interest in the extent to which health insurance mediates these relationships. We find that incarceration is associated with a higher likelihood of having unmet healthcare needs and utilizing emergency services as a typical source of care. These relationships operate partially through employment, self-reported health, perceived social standing, local disadvantage, and insurance status. Further, while main effects do not differ across race/ethnicity, we find descriptive differences in mechanisms across racial/ethnic groups. Specifically, variables related to financial wellbeing and insurance status were significant mediators for Non-Hispanic Whites, but not for Non-Hispanic Black individuals.

Authors

• Lauren Porter, University of Maryland, College Park

• Alex Testa, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston