...Socioeconomic Status and Health Disparity in America Over the years, researchers have uncovered a strong link between socioeconomic status and one’s risk for being affected by healthy disparities (Ethnic, 2015).When examining the relationship between socioeconomic status and health, evidence shows those with the lowest income and education are the unhealthiest, while most advantaged individuals are the healthiest (Braveman, et al, 2009). It is possible through continued research and broadened knowledge surrounding different cultures and biological factors, we may be able to close certain gaps that exist today and reduce the risk for healthy disparity in America. There are many factors that are used today to measure diversity in socioeconomic status. For example, the relationships between demographics, income, and health help us understand what elevates risk for disparity. Some of the demographic factors include: race and ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, special health care needs, and geographic location (Disparities, 2015). While some groups are impacted greater than others, it is important to acknowledge that these inequities are affecting our society as a whole and should be a priority of concern for all (Ethnic, 2015). When considering how a higher income could produce a healthier future, we see that wealthier people have greater accessibility to key resources. Someone with a high income is more likely to have sufficient health coverage and live in a safe neighborhood...
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...obesity, differences in socioeconomic status potentially result in differential access to financial resources for purchasing nutritious foods and even health promotion amenities such as gyms, which, in turn, influences socioeconomic differences in overweight and obesity. Social selection theory has been put forward as another explanation of health disparities including those related to socioeconomic status. Part of the theory is premised on the tendency of people with similar characteristics to form clusters (Arcaya et al, 2015). An example is where individuals with propensity to engage in physical exercises may tend to move to safer suburbs that provide opportunities for walking or jogging, and hence people in those particular...
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...The Intersection of Socioeconomic Factors and Immigration Status in Healthcare Accessibility for the Latinx Community in the U.S. Srijan Gattem College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles SOCIOL 185: American Society Dr. Isaac Speer 15 March 2024 The complex cobweb of the American healthcare system is not one that’s easily traversed, and the Latinx community, in particular, occupies a position filled with disparities and barriers that highlight the intersection of socioeconomic factors and immigration status. These barriers dig deep into medical care but also tie into systemic obstacles such as unequal employment levels, linguistic difficulties, and problems regarding legal status. Derose et al. (2007) discuss...
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...Investing in healthcare disparities and solutions. INTRO- Healthcare disparities continue to be a major problem in our present-day society, creating uncertainty about access to necessary services and health outcomes. This essay aims to analyze the complicated structure of healthcare disparities while shining a light on the approach to universally fair healthcare outcomes and access. This essay will explore the complicated link between healthcare disparities and how factors such as socioeconomic status, race, location, and differences in cultures affect health outcomes and unequal access to medical treatment. This essay does this by drawing on the information offered by numerous studies. It will address the root causes of healthcare inequality...
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...Nursing in 3D: Diversity, Disparities, and Social Determinants The Social Determinants of Health: It’s Time to Consider the Causes of the Causes Paula Braveman, MD, MPHa Laura Gottlieb, MD, MPHb ABSTRACT During the past two decades, the public health community’s attention has been drawn increasingly to the social determinants of health (SDH)—the factors apart from medical care that can be influenced by social policies and shape health in powerful ways. We use “medical care” rather than “health care” to refer to clinical services, to avoid potential confusion between “health” and “health care.” The World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health has defined SDH as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age” and “the fundamental drivers of these conditions.” The term “social determinants” often evokes factors such as health-related features of neighborhoods (e.g., walkability, recreational areas, and accessibility of healthful foods), which can influence health-related behaviors. Evidence has accumulated, however, pointing to socioeconomic factors such as income, wealth, and education as the fundamental causes of a wide range of health outcomes. This article broadly reviews some of the knowledge accumulated to date that highlights the importance of social—and particularly socioeconomic— factors in shaping health, and plausible pathways and biological mechanisms that may explain their effects. We also discuss...
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...moderate income news article fails to discuss the socioeconomic disadvantaged lower class populations face and focus on the politics” (Snell). The quote quantifies the people affected by Planned Parenthood cuts and acknowledges its significance in women’s lives. By incorporating the population affected, the article begins discussing the deeper problems beyond Planned Parenthood, such as the disadvantages faced by the lower socioeconomic status, which the politically-based articles never recognize....
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...“Racial and ethnic disparities in health care are known to reflect access to care and other issues that arise from differing socioeconomic conditions”.1 There is increasing evidence that even after such differences are accounted for, race and ethnicity remain predictors of the quality of health care received. Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that is experienced by socially disadvantaged populations. Factors such as race or ethnicity, gender, education, or income, disability, geographic location such as rural or urban, or sexual orientation can define populations. The goal of the research paper is to present the magnitude and importance of racial...
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...Running head; HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES IN AFRICA 1 HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES IN AFRICA OKECHUKWU ONYEIZUGBE DHA8013 Action Research Health Administration 1 Capella University Abstract Objective: To summarize the current literature on racial and gender disparities in critical care and the mechanisms underlying these disparities in the course of acute critical illness. Data Sources: MEDLINE search on the published literature addressing racial, ethnic, or gender disparities in acute critical illness, such as sepsis, acute lung injury, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, and cardiac arrest. Study Selection: Clinical studies that evaluated general critically ill patient populations in the United States as well as specific critical care conditions were reviewed with a focus on studies evaluating factors and contributors to health disparities. Data Extraction: Study findings are presented according to their association with the prevalence, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes in acute critical illness. Data Synthesis: This review presents potential contributors for racial and gender disparities related to genetic susceptibility, comorbidities, preventive health services, socioeconomic factors, cultural differences, and access to care. The data are organized along the course of acute critical illness. Conclusions: The literature to date shows that disparities in critical care are most likely multifactorial...
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...Trends Paper Demographic trends reveal developments and changes in human population. More specifically, demographic trends relate to changes in a population’s age, educational attainment, and health. Business leaders, marketers, and advertisers can glean valuable insight from demographic trends. For example, a geographical location might experience a shift in migration patterns. Without understanding demographic trends for the area, businesses could make decisions on a customer segment based on conjecture. Evaluating demographic trends for the area, however, might reveal that there’s a change in the population’s average age, employment status, income, or wealth all of which would help businesses better target its customers and prospects. This can yield additional insight such as trends in a population’s socioeconomic status, life stage, and lifestyle. Socioeconomic status is determined by measuring income, education, occupation, and wealth of an individual or a family. Life stage is based on an individual’s age, family status, and relationships. Lifestyle is determined by education, activities, interests, opinions, socioeconomic status, and life stage. All of these characteristics are helpful to businesses as they are valuable predictors of consumer spending trends. Evaluating customers’ and prospects’ demographic trends, business decision-makers can identify changing needs in the marketplace and adjust to them. Demographic trends can also help organizations spot future...
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...People HS 2711-01 Health Science 1 Discussion Forum Unit 5 - "Second Academic Year 2023-2024 Term: 3. Instructor: Dr. Tiffanie James Parker. March 04, 2024 Introduction In the discussion I had during week 3, I highlighted the importance of social determinants in shaping the health outcomes of our community. I emphasized how factors like access to quality healthcare, education, and socioeconomic status can significantly impact the overall well-being of individuals. Since then, I have read more about this topic and gained a deeper understanding of how social determinants affect health outcomes. I am happy to report that my initial arguments have been further reinforced and enriched with additional evidence, strengthening...
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...Gap in Health Disparities of African Americans Rosie Vasser Grand Canyon University Closing the Gap in Health Disparities of African Americans Historically speaking African Americans have had harder access to healthcare due to a number of socioeconomic reasons. Many are unable to even get to a facility. When thinking about poverty in America one must associate African Americans with poorer health, less access to medical care and higher risk factors than others. Stressors alone within this group places them at higher risk for hypertension, smoking, diabetes, etc. Lower income limits the availability to healthier food and quality healthcare. AA persistent struggle to achieve the American dreams translates to their persistent struggles with health. The dominate society generational connection to wealth, affords them the ability to access the best in healthcare. AA has very limited access to quality healthcare. According to Eileen M. Crimmins, Mark D. Hayward, and Teresa E. Seeman (2004), “People who are poorer and who have less education are more likely to suffer from diseases, to experience loss of functioning, to be cognitively and physically impaired, and to experience higher mortality rates” (2004), This essay will compare and contrast the health status of the African American minority group and compare to the national average. We will discuss the current health status of this minority group, how health promotion is defined by African Americans, and what health disparities...
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...in investigations of health disparities in the United States. Research is a process of investigating concepts and theories that will contribute to a scientific body of knowledge. When presented with a problem, researchers or healthcare specialist can use a quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods approach to solutions or explore avenues that might improve health, health outcomes and health services (Bowling, 2002). As health disparities grow in the United States and research is ongoing, three abbreviated research plans are presented as probable solutions to this concern targeting communities and populations that are underserved. Comparison and Evaluation of Strengths and Limitations of Research Methods Used in These Abbreviated Plans Research is an organized investigation to explain, describe, and control an observed phenomenon that involves inductive and deductive methods. Researchers will use a quantitative research design to verify that the research method used is valid and will produce accurate scientific results (Vidgen, n.d.). The strengths involved in using the quantitative research method can test and validate theories that have been already formed about why and how phenomena occur. Quantitative research allows the researcher to measure and analyze data that is précis which may help eliminate the influence of many variables and allow more reliable cause-and-effect relationships (Jones, n.d.). A disadvantage in quantitative research is based on figures and not always...
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...Decreasing health disparity in the Hispanic community Grand Canyon University Family Centered Health Promotion NRS-429V-O50 Decreasing health disparity in the Hispanic community About 36.6% of the population in the U.S belong to or identifies as one of the 5 ethnic minority groups. These groups are Native Hawaiian, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, African American or Black, or Pacific Islander. The U.S has the most expensive health care system in the world yet many of these minority groups are worse off in regards to socioeconomic and health care status if compared to white Americans. It is plain to see this health disparity when some communities have death rates comparable to 3rd world countries. As of 2013, according to the U.S Census Bureau, one of the largest minority groups was people of Hispanic origin; they made up about 17% of the U.S population or approximately 54 million people. This group is a rapidly growing set that it is estimated that by 2060, Hispanics would number around 128.8 million people. ("CDC," 2015) x Just like all ethnic groups in the U.S, the Hispanic population wishes to stay healthy, however due to high rates of poverty, this group experiences huge disparity in health care services. In 2012 29.1% of Hispanics lacked medical insurance. ("CDC," 2015) This becomes a problem that leads to another set of problems. Sick people are often diagnosed at a later time, due to lack of medical insurance or funds to access...
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...1 HEALTH DISPARITIES 2 The Health of Hispanic and Latinos Health disparities in the diverse American demography creates challenges in the overall health status of ethnic minorities. Tragic disadvantages on obtaining optimal health care can be linked to variables such as being from a specific socioeconomic status, race, geographic location, age, gender, mental health, genetic background, or having a disability. This injustice on how health care is being provided is debilitating for patients and the communities that they live in. Statistics Reviewing the statistics for Hispanics in the community against other groups indicates that the overall health of ages is fair or poor health in 9.6% of the population (National Center for Health Statistics, 2015). Another alarming statistic is that 16.4% of men and 7.4% of woman above 18 smoked cigarettes (National Center for Health Statistics, 2015). The rate of people under the age of 65 who did not have health insurance was over 25.5 percent (National Center for Health Statistics, 2015). Many of the diseases in the top categories that caused death in this population were cancer and heart disease (National Center for Health Statistics, 2011). Ethnic Disparities The racial ethnic disparities was greatest in both income and education for Hispanics and Non-Hispanic American Indians/ Alaskan Natives in the year 2011 (Disparities in Healthcare Quality Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups, 2014). Hispanics struggle...
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...MPH 5220 U02D1 Barriers to Reducing Disparities in Health Care July 17, 2013 The purpose of this post is to disseminate the learners view regarding the barriers to reducing disparities in health care. The National Library of Medicine defines Healthcare disparities as a “differences in access to or availability of facilities and services,” and “Health status disparities refer to the variation in rates of disease occurrence and disabilities between socioeconomic and/or geographically defined population groups” (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013). A barrier to reducing disparities based on race and ethnicity is to increase education related to those chronic diseases that most affect communities of color. Community Outreach and Public Engagement/Cultural Competencies are used within the public sector; however, the effectiveness of these programs must be questioned. Rebecca Voelker (2008) states, “Not only did treatment disparities persist; the magnitude of the disparities did not diminish” (Voelker, 2008), the ineffectiveness of health care programs persist and perpetuates the cycle of health care disparity and health status disparity. Voelker references the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH 2010) a pilot program in South Carolina and Georgia, which are examples of effective outreach to communities of colors, these programs were managed effectively and precisely, thus they were able to reduce the disparity gaps per disease (Voelker, 2008). Voelker’s...
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