
CUREJ - College Undergraduate Research Electronic Journal
An Ethnographic Look at Healthcare Choices of the Working Poor
Division: Social Sciences
Dept/Program: Urban Studies
Document Type: Undergraduate Student Research
Mentor(s): Eric Schneider
Date of this Version: 01 May 2006
This document has been peer reviewed.
Abstract
This study looks at the effect of U.S. healthcare policies on the working poor. Following up on previous research that looked at risk factors involved in the take-up rate of insurance, this paper addresses how those risk factors contribute to an individual’s decision to purchase health insurance. The author argues that the working poor are an especially important group to study because they are often too wealthy to afford public insurance, but cannot afford to purchase private insurance carte blanche. Using ethnographic data collected at a small business in Philadelphia, the author concludes that while certain risk factors are significant, more enlightening, the working poor are generally uniformed about health insurance in general. Though being uneducated about healthcare and health insurance is probably not unique to this group, they are most affected by this lack of knowledge because of their precarious position in the U.S. healthcare system.
Suggested Citation
Pulos, Nicholas, "An Ethnographic Look at Healthcare Choices of the Working Poor" 01 May 2006. CUREJ: College Undergraduate Research Electronic Journal, University of Pennsylvania, https://repository.upenn.edu/curej/16.
Date Posted: 01 June 2006
This document has been peer reviewed.