Lone motherhood and health status

This study focuses on the health status of women with children, particularl y lone mothers, the beneficiaries of many policies. Data from the 1994 Stat istics Canada's National Population Health Survey indicate that lone mother s have, on average, consistently lower unconditional health status than mar ried mothers. However, lone mothers also have, on average, lower levels of health inputs. Once age, income, education, lifestyle factors, family size, and other recognized determinants of health are controlled for, lone mothe rs are at least no worse off than married mothers when it comes to health s tatus. This evidence points toward promoting policies directed at increasin g the education, income and lifestyle, factors of lone mothers if we wish t o improve their health status.