It is estimated that more than 70 million individuals in the United States have a criminal history. This population has a disproportionately high rate of physical and mental health problems, yet they often face numerous barriers when seeking healthcare services (Suphanchaimat et al., 2017). Many of these individuals have difficulty finding adequate healthcare due to the stigma associated with their past criminal activity. As a result, they are often denied care or turned away from medical facilities. This can have profound implications for their overall health and well-being. Research has shown that individuals with criminal records are more likely to experience worse health outcomes than the general population (Umez & Pirius, 2018). Studies have found that those with a criminal background have a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, substance abuse, and suicide. Furthermore, they are more likely to be uninsured and have difficulty accessing preventive care. Additionally, individuals with criminal records are more likely to be arrested and incarcerated, contributing to poor health outcomes (Gunner et al., 2019). Thus, physical and mental health issues disproportionately affect individuals with criminal histories. Unfortunately, many of these individuals face numerous barriers when seeking healthcare services, which can have profound implications for their health and well-being. Healthcare providers must take steps to remove these barriers and ensure that individuals with criminal backgrounds have access to the care they need.
Stigma and Discrimination
Stigma and discrimination are major challenges individuals with criminal histories face while seeking healthcare services. It is a form of social exclusion, defined as the process through which a person is denied full and equal access to resources, opportunities and services based on their criminal history (Suphanchaimat et al., 2017). This can be in direct discrimination, such as a healthcare provider refusing to treat a patient because of their criminal record, or indirect discrimination, such as a healthcare provider refusing to provide a service because of the patient’s criminal history. Stigma and discrimination can lead to various negative outcomes for individuals with criminal histories, including poor health outcomes (Gunner et al., 2019). For example, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that individuals with criminal histories were at an increased risk of mortality due to illness, injury and suicide compared to the general population.
Moreover, according to (Gunner et al., 2019), it is estimated that approximately 10 million people in the United States have some form of criminal record, which is growing. A 2017 study found that approximately one in four adults in the United States has a criminal record (Gunner et al., 2019). Despite this, healthcare providers are often not trained to provide appropriate care to these individuals. In addition, there is often a lack of understanding of the needs of people with criminal records and the challenges they face in accessing healthcare services. Furthermore, studies have also found that individuals with criminal records are less likely to receive preventive healthcare services, such as cancer screenings, due to stigma and discrimination. A 2013 study found that individuals with criminal records were less likely to receive cancer screenings than those without criminal records (Umez & Pirius, 2018). This is concerning, as cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Overall, stigma and discrimination are major challenges individuals with criminal histories face while seeking healthcare services. These challenges can have significant implications for their health and well-being, and it is important for healthcare providers to be aware of and knowledgeable about how to provide appropriate care to this population.
Inadequate Insurance Coverage
Inadequate insurance coverage is another major challenge that members of criminal history face while seeking healthcare services. This lack of coverage often results in individuals with a criminal history being unable to access the care they need due to the prohibitive costs associated with healthcare services (Belenko et al., 2017). As a result, individuals with a criminal history are more likely to suffer from preventable illnesses and lack access to preventive healthcare services. According to a study by the National Institute of Corrections, individuals with a criminal history are more likely to lack health insurance than the general population (Suphanchaimat et al., 2017). This is since many employers in the United States are reluctant to hire individuals with criminal histories due to the risk of legal and financial liability. This reluctance to hire individuals with criminal histories often excludes them from employer-sponsored health insurance plans, resulting in an increased likelihood of lacking health insurance coverage.
Another factor contributing to the lack of insurance coverage for individuals with a criminal history is that they are often excluded from government-sponsored health insurance programs, such as Medicaid. According to a report by the Urban Institute, approximately 16 million individuals with criminal histories are denied Medicaid coverage due to their criminal history, including individuals who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated. As a result, these individuals are left without the resources or means to access the health care services they need. Furthermore, the lack of access to health insurance coverage for individuals with a criminal history is further compounded by the fact that they are often subject to higher out-of-pocket costs for health care services. According to a 2016 study by the National Institute for Health Care Management, individuals with a criminal history are more likely to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services than those without a criminal history (Suphanchaimat et al., 2017). Insurance companies often charge higher premiums to individuals with criminal histories, making it more difficult for them to afford health care services. Thus, to ensure that individuals with a criminal history can access the healthcare services they need, it is important to ensure that they have access to health insurance coverage and are aware of the resources available to them (Findling et al., 2019). By addressing this challenge, we can ensure that individuals with a criminal history can access the healthcare services they need and deserve.
Social Isolation
Individuals often experience social isolation from the general public, making it difficult to access healthcare services. Studies have shown that people with a criminal background are more likely to experience social isolation than those without a criminal past. It can be attributed to the stigma attached to those with a criminal record, which can lead to discrimination in the healthcare setting. According to a study by Umez and Prius (2018), nearly two-thirds of individuals with a criminal background reported feeling socially isolated. This percentage is significantly higher than the general population, which reported feeling socially isolated at a rate of only one in three. These findings demonstrate that individuals with criminal records are more likely to experience social isolation than those without a criminal past. The effects of social isolation on individuals with criminal histories can be profound. Individuals with a criminal history are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues due to the stigma attached to their criminal background. It can make it difficult for them to access healthcare services, as the stigma associated with their criminal record can lead to discrimination in the healthcare setting (Umez & Pirius, 2018). Thus, social isolation is a serious problem affecting individuals with criminal histories. Healthcare providers need to be aware of these issues and take steps to ensure that individuals with criminal histories are provided with the same level of care as those without a criminal past.
Lack of Education
Another biggest challenge individuals with criminal histories face when seeking healthcare services is a lack of education. This pervasive issue affects many individuals and has a wide-reaching impact on their lives. In fact, according to a 2019 report from the National Reentry Resource Center, nearly two-thirds of individuals leaving prison have not completed high school (Suphanchaimat et al., 2017). This lack of education can limit their ability to access and understand healthcare services, especially in the complex and ever-changing world of healthcare. Without proper education, individuals with criminal histories may not understand the importance of preventive care or the different types of health services available to them. It can lead to an increased risk of health complications, especially among those with chronic conditions. Additionally, they may not know how to navigate the healthcare system, making seeking and receiving services difficult. This lack of education can also impede their ability to find employment and other necessary resources, further limiting their access to healthcare (Suphanchaimat et al., 2017; Winters et al., 2018). Thus, by increasing access to education and healthcare resources, individuals with criminal histories can get the care they need and improve their overall health and well-being. This will benefit not only them but their families and communities as well. With the right support, individuals with criminal histories can have better access to healthcare services and lead healthier, happier lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, individuals with criminal histories face several challenges when seeking healthcare services. These challenges include stigma and discrimination, inadequate insurance coverage, social isolation, and lack of education. These challenges can have serious implications for the health and well-being of individuals with criminal histories. Healthcare providers need to be aware of these issues and take steps to ensure that individuals with criminal histories are provided with the same level of care as those without a criminal past. It includes providing education and resources to help individuals with criminal histories better understand and access the healthcare services they need. Additionally, healthcare providers should strive to create an environment free of stigma and discrimination so that individuals with criminal histories can access healthcare services without fear of judgement or prejudice. By addressing these challenges, individuals with criminal histories can have better access to healthcare services and lead healthier, happier lives.
References
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Suphanchaimat, R., Kantamaturapoj, K., Putthasri, W., & Prakongsai, P. (2017). Challenges in providing healthcare services for migrants: a systematic review through providers’ lens. BMC Health Services Research, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1065-z
Umez, C., & Prius, R. (2018, July 17). Barriers to Work: People with Criminal Records. Www.ncsl.org. https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/barriers-to-work-individuals-with-criminal-records.aspx
Winters, M., Rechel, B., de Jong, L., & Pavlova, M. (2018). A systematic review on healthcare services by undocumented migrants in Europe. BMC health services research, 18(1), 1-10.
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