Health of Children in Low-Income Families: A Multiple Disadvantage Model

This study investigated relationships between low-income children's health and six factors: social disorganization, social structural, social relationship, parent health/mental health, parent substance use, and access to healthcare. A sample of 7,349 low-income children extracted from a national data set. Logistic regression results showed low-income children's excellent or very good health to be associated positively with safe neighborhood, family cohesiveness, family support, caregiver health, and caregiver mental health. Children's health was associated negatively with racial discrimination experience, professional support, Medicaid receipt, and child age. Implications included promotion of neighborhood safety, cultural competency of professionals, respect racial/ethnic diversity, and cohesive families.