This study examines the demographic and social factors related to health care utilization in prisons using the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities. The findings show that education and employment, strong predictors of health care in the community, are not associated with health care in prisons. Although female inmates have a higher disease burden than male inmates, there are no sex differences in health care usage. The factors associated with health care, however, vary for women and men. Notably, Black men are significantly more likely to utilize health care compared to White and Latino men. The findings suggest that, given the constitutionally mandated health care for inmates, prisons can potentially minimize racial disparities in care and that prisons, in general, are an important context for health care delivery in the United States.
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) is a major cause of illness in inmates in some California prisons. This article discusses an investigation conducted at two prisons to describe potential environmental exposures. The study did not identify modifiable risk factors; limiting the type or duration of outdoor activity in these prisons may not decrease coccidioidomycosis morbidity.

