This literature review examines the state of the science regarding the health of women in jail. The electronic database search yielded only 11 original research articles published from 1991 to 2000. The articles were organized into three health-related categories: infectious diseases, mental health issues, and health utilization. Although not generalizable, the studies found jailed women are more likely to suffer from infectious diseases and mental health conditions. Another finding was jailed women use health services more often than do jailed men. The authors suggest women in jail may not receive accessible and appropriate health care, despite being members of the only group in America with constitutionally mandated rights to health care.
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