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Diana Romero, PhD, MA, Wendy Chavkin, MD, MPH, Paul H. Wise, MD, MPH, Lauren A. Smith, MD, MPH and Pamela R. Wood, MD

Diana Romero and Wendy Chavkin are with the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City. Paul H. Wise and Lauren A. Smith are with the Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass. Pamela R. Wood is with the Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Diana Romero, PhD, MA, 60 Haven Ave, B-2, New York, NY 10032 (e-mail: drr6{at}columbia.edu).

Objectives. This study investigated whether health problems among poor mothers of chronically ill children affect their ability to obtain and maintain employment.

Methods. Mothers of children with chronic illnesses were surveyed at clinical and welfare agency sites in San Antonio, Tex.

Results. There were distinct health differences according to mothers’ TANF and employment status. Mothers without TANF experience reported better physical and mental health and less domestic violence and substance use than did those who had TANF experience. Those not currently working had higher rates of physical and mental health problems.

Conclusions. Poor maternal health is associated with need for cash assistance and health insurance. Policymakers must recognize that social policies promoting employment will fail if they do not address the health needs of poor women and children.

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