Welfare, Women, and Health: The Role of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families


 

Publication Date: May 2003

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s): Jodie Levin-Epstein

Research Area: Health; Social conditions

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Women comprise 90 percent of the adult caseload receiving welfare assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANFs influence on womens health and well-being is broad and is driven by multiple aspects of the program, including access to health insurance, work requirements and training options, links to health care services, and reproductive health provisions.

This issue brief, published by the Kaiser Family Foundation, reflects on lessons learned from recent research on the connection between welfare policies and low-income womens health.