Single Dads and Healthcare for Kids

The online journal Health Services Research found that 20% of children from single father homes go a full year without health insurance, reported Reuters.
Children who come from single father homes are also less likely to have routine well-child doctor visits. Well-child visits are vital since theyre during the childs rapid development stages. 
According to the study, children of single mothers had comparable if not better access to care. They were also more likely to make well-child and preventive doctor visits.
Only 57% of children from single father homes made well-child visits, researchers found. Thats compared to the 69% of children from single mothers and 67% of children from two parent homes. 
The study also suggests, single mothers are often below the poverty line and have the access to government health insurance that single father and two parent homes dont.
Dr. Kathleen Ziol-Guest, a researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston suggests increasing single fathers awareness of the importance of preventive doctor visits, routine doctor care, and health coverage for their kids.
Like single mothers, most single fathers are undoubtedly doing the best they can under difficult circumstances. But they may need more education and support when it comes to getting proper health care for their children. suggests Dr. Ziol-Guest.
SOURCE: Children of single dads get less health care. NEW YORK (Reuters Health)/Health Services Research, July 17, 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL86095820070808?pageNumber=2&sp=true.