Factors that influence adolescent reports of counseling by physicians on risky behavior.

Purpose: To determine factors that affect whether low-income adolescents report that their doctor talked with them about risky behavior.

Methods: Random digit-dial survey of low-income adolescents in New York City asking about depression, smoking, alcohol use, and sexual activity and the screening and counseling they received on these risk factors and risks during health visits.

Results: Prevalence of counseling by physicians was low, according to adolescent reports, ranging from 17% of adolescents counseled about depression to 52% about sexually transmitted diseases.

Costs of enrolling children in Medicaid and SCHIP.

As a way of saving Medicaid dollars, many states are reintroducing administrative hurdles into the enrollment process to deter people from enrolling. This study finds that administrative tasks associated with enrollment absorb sizable amounts of funds. We estimate that it costs approximately dollars 280 to enroll a child in Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in the New York City area.