Recent reports indicate that the number of uninsured individuals in Oklahoma has reached approximately 600,000 individuals, of these, almost half of Oklahoma’s uninsured are between the ages of 19‐34. Despite this high number, relatively little is known about why this group is underinsured or what strategies might encourage this age group to purchase health insurance. As a response to these alarming figures, the Oklahoma Insurance Department and the University of Oklahoma – Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work have collaborated on a state‐wide survey of young, uninsured Oklahomans. The goal of this study, among others, is to uncover the reasons behind this age group’s uninsured status, their sense of value for health insurance coverage, and to potentially develop methods of addressing this rising public health issue.

This preliminary report highlights the initial findings of the state wide survey of young Oklahomans and the subsequent focus groups designed to capture the opinions of young Oklahomans regarding access to and the use of Oklahoma’s health care system in the absence of health insurance. Strategies for change may be developed through the participation of these young Oklahomans by focusing on their health care experiences and on the identification of barriers related to health care coverage. The study included both a large scale survey as well as focus groups of young uninsured Oklahomans, ages 19‐34.