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Sexism and Medical Care in a Jail Setting

NCJ Number
87051
Journal
Women and Health Volume: 6 Issue: 1 and 2 Dated: (Spring/Summer 1981) Pages: 5-24
Author(s)
N S Shaw; I Browne; P Meyer
Date Published
1982
Length
20 pages
Annotation
As part of a study on health conditions in women's prisons, comparisons were made of outcomes of clinic visits by male and female prisoners in New York City jails on Riker's Island.
Abstract
Despite a basic similarity in health problems, significant differences were found between the sexes in terms of number of clinicians with whom they had interaction, access to a physician, and access to treatment of any sort. Men were four times as likely to be seen by a physician and twice as likely to receive treatment. A general pattern of sex bias was determined to exist. Staffing patterns, clinic access and diagnostic bias are examined as possible explanations for the differences in care. (Author abstract)