Utilization of health care by foster children: Application of a theoretical model

Foster children are among the unhealthiest in this nation, and their health care is grossly inadequate for their needs. This paper uses a model developed by Aday and Anderson (1975) to explore the reasons for the discrepancy between need and services in this population. The health care utilization model conceptualizes utilization to be a product of three factors: relevant health care policy; the structure of the health care system; and certain characteristics of the population, including need, enabling factors, and predisposing factors. It is demonstrated that foster children suffer disadvantages in each area that discourage their appropriate use of the health care system. Given projections for a substantial growth in the foster care population in the future, and the likelihood that this growth will occur disproportionately among children with significant health problems, the paper suggests a framework for improving the use of health care for foster children by using each level of the model, and provides suggestions for evaluation and research.