ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the basic policy practice questions that are raised in problem analysis to the issue of disparities in health for women, children, older adults, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community in the US Individuals confront age-based health risks with complex root causes, some of which are based on biology and others that are rooted in socioeconomic status and issues similar to those for people of color and women. In the area of health, gender roles and behaviors have certainly had an impact on health outcomes. For poor women, poverty is a compounding factor that makes dealing with this disease that much more difficult. Smoking is the leading cause of premature deaths and increases the risk of many health problems, including learning disabilities and low birth weight. Substance abuse is difficult to assess because it is not only linked to other physical, psychological, and social problems, but also influenced by cultural norms.
