Abstract
Consumer participation and influence were studied in one Health Systems Agency in the southeastern United States over a 20-month period (July 1976–February 1978). Consumer board members were found to be significantly less influential in agency decision making than were provider board members. This difference in influence existed even though virtually no difference existed between consumers' and providers' levels of participation. Consumer board members, while representing minority and nonminority, and both rural and nonrural groups, tended nevertheless also to be middle-class, middle-income individuals. Low-income and working-class groups were underrepresented on the board of the Health Systems Agency. Furthermore, consumer representatives tended to be satisfied with and have access to health care.
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Additional information
Allan Steckler and Leonard Dawson are faculty members of the Department of Health Education, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Nancy Dellinger and Anita Williams are staff members of Capital HSA, Durham, N.C.
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Steckler, A., Dawson, L., Dellinger, N. et al. Consumer participation and influence in a health systems agency. J Community Health 6, 181–193 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323009
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323009