Application of the Political Economy to Rural Health Disparities by Monica M. Taylor

Author:Monica M. Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Springer International Publishing, Cham

Health Disparities in Prisoners

Prior research confirmed the adverse risks of inadequate health care and poorer health outcomes for people in the criminal justice system (Binswanger et al. 2009; Wilper et al. 2009). The differences in the healthcare systems of correctional facilities and the general population contributed to these outcomes and impacted the process and quality of health care delivery for inmates (Binswanger et al. 2012). The extent of chronic and infectious disease across racial and ethnic groups are not well known due to gaps in the research, mainly, from the exclusion of health conditions of inmates compared to the general population in national surveys (Wilper 2009). This creates a gross underestimation of disease prevalence in the U.S. However, given existing data, African Americans and minorities who were incarcerated have higher disease prevalence compared to non-incarcerated whites (Nkansah-Amankra 2013).

Studies showed that people with mental illnesses were not on their psychiatric medication at the time of arrest. Also, many inmates with a physical condition lacked continuity of care while in prison custody. The prison system is also renowned for its malicious treatment of inmates and reprehensible environment (Covin 2012). Coordinated efforts between the correctional system and community health services for inmates transitioning back into the community could alleviate the risk of mortality linked to prison release (Rosen et al. 2008). Studies showed that men released from prison in North Carolina had a greater risk of death as a result of their vulnerability to injuries and medical conditions common in correctional facilities. In addition, this latter effort could also improve medication compliance. Given these aforementioned challenges, scholars offered alternative measures to decrease health disparities among inmates (Binswanger et al. 2017). Researchers recommended screening for infectious and chronic diseases that were prevalent among incarcerated populations upon prison entry, during custody, at the point of release and during the probationary period. Studies showed that these additive initiatives would control healthcare costs and improve public safety. However, federal policies restricted public funding for health care services for prisoners and financing was subjected to funds allocated from taxpayers.

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