IS HEALTH-STATUS RELATED TO RESIDENCE IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS - EVIDENCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY

This study sought to compare the health status of adult residents of m edically underserved areas (MUAs) with adult residents of nonshortage areas (non-MUAs). A random digit dialing telephone survey was used. Re spondents were subsequently classified by their county of residence as residing in an MUA or non-MUA. A sample of 421 adults (aged 18 years or older) residing in Kentucky during 1993 were included in the analys is. Health status was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 20-item S hort-Form Health Survey's (SF-20) six subscales. After controlling in the multiple regression for demographic variables there were no signif icant differences between residents of MUAs and non-MUAs for the physi cal functioning, role functioning, general mental health, self-percept ion of health, or pain subscales. The social functioning subscale was significantly related to the residence in an MUA. The demographic vari able ''education'' was a consistent predictor of each of the health st atus subscales. Excepting the social functioning subscale, residents o f MUAs do not have significant differences in health status when compa red to residents of non-MUAs. Future policy may need to focus on other health services shortage area designators that are more highly associ ated with the health status of residents. Consideration should be give n to including the education demographics of areas or populations in h ealth services shortage designation criteria.