MD visits by single fathers tracked

A recently released national report indicates that single fathers are less likely to have health insurance for their children and make fewer doctor visits with them than two-parent and single-mother families.

Although no concrete evidence shows that Utah follows this same trend, some research implies as much.

"We have seen an increase in the number of people saying they're not covered because their employer doesn't offer insurance any more," said Lois Haggard, director of the Utah Office of Public Health Assessment.

Single dads are less likely to take their children to the doctor than other parents, including single-mother families, the study says.

"There is evidence that women make more doctor visits than men, so young adult women are more likely to have a primary-care provider," said Haggard. "There's something about men not going to the doctor, and maybe it just transfers to their kids."

The study, based on a survey of 62,000 children and reported by the journal Health Services Research, found that children with single dads are 20 percent more likely in the United States to go a year uninsured. This may come from negligence of the father or the fact that they assume their children are healthy.

"(Men eligible for health insurance) are more likely to report there was no need for health insurance," said Kathleen Ziol-Guest, co-author of the study, in an interview with the Deseret Morning News. "It seems to be that men are less likely to think that their children are in poor health.

"We think men have different perceptions of their health or their children's health," said Ziol-Guest.

Other potential reasons include men being less educated on health care, Ziol-Guest said. Haggard believes it has more to do with the lack of employment benefits.

"In the short term I know that there's a problem with small businesses getting health insurance for their employees," said Haggard. "In the longer term we probably need to examine our system for getting health insurance to all people."

Across the nation single-father families are increasing at a faster rate than those headed by single mothers, the study said.

"I think there's an acknowledgment in society that men can raise kids," Haggard said. "Kids don't always have to go with the mother (in a divorce.)"

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E-mail: amarshall@desnews.com