Final answer:
The group among middle-aged women least likely to have health care coverage is the poorest in each state. They face numerous challenges including poverty and higher rates of unmet health care needs, further compounded by race and gender disparities. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of middle-aged women least likely to have health care coverage is likely C) the poorest in each state. This group often struggles with obtaining basic medical care, alongside difficulties in other areas such as housing, food, and employment.
Women who are single heads of households, particularly single mothers, have a higher tendency to live in poverty, often referred to as the "feminization of poverty." They disproportionately make up the majority of those in poverty, resulting in a lower standard of living compared to their male or married counterparts.
In addition, studies have shown that disparities in health care coverage can be attributed to social status, creating race and gender differences.
For example, African American women have higher rates of unmet health care needs, and members of the LGBTQ community, like lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, often experience poor quality of care.
In a healthcare system where health is a commodity, the poor are more susceptible to Illness due to factors like poor diet and unhealthy living and working environments, and they also bear a greater share of the burden of poor health. The correct option is C.