...Health disparities of the LGBT community Darlene Poer Grand Canyon University Minerva Gonzales May 15, 2016 Health disparities of the LGBT community Many factors contribute to a person’s health status. Among them are, limited access to care, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “the social determinants of health as well as race are ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age, and disability” (Myers, Yoon, & Kaufman, 2013). The Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community falls into this category. The individuals that belong to this group come from all ethnicities, races, economic and social statuses throughout the United States and the world. The Institute of Medicines report in 2011 states, “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have unique health experiences, but as a nation, we do not know exactly what these experiences and needs are ("LGBT health report," 2011, p. 4).For this reason their needs and health care inequities and inequalities should be addressed. The health promotion goal of the LGBT community is to “improve the health, safety, and well-being of lesbian, gay, and transgender individuals” ("," 2014). To understand the current health status of the LGBT community, one must understand some basic definitions. 1. Gender identity-A person’s basic sense of being male or female. 2. Gender expression- Manifestations that are defined as masculine or feminine. 3. Gender role...
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...Challenges Facing Health Care in the United States Liz M. Santiago Dr. Watson HSA 500 March 11, 2012 Identify and describe at least three of the most difficult issues facing health care in the United States today. Our health care system is complex in the way it is setup and the way it operates. There are many key issues that face the health care system in the United States today. Three of the most difficult issues include diseases, health disparities and paying for health care. As we are capable of preventing diseases through preventive medicine and advanced technology, the mortality rate of the United States will continue to decline. Although this may be true, macro trends such as illnesses, diseases, injuries, and population groups are of concern. “Differential morbidity and mortality between men and women, among different ethnic groups, in different age groups within the population, by geographic region, and in other important population comparisons raise red flags about our limited successes for certain populations, and the challenges that we face” (Torrens & Williams, 2009). Health concerns such as hypertension, obesity, injuries and chronic diseases surround individuals in the United States today, regardless of their race, gender, income status or geographical location. Although a steady income, health insurance and access to care may exist for some individuals across the United States, health disparities are still clearly...
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...I E S IN T H E U N I T E D S TAT E S THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OF HEALTH INEQUALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES Thomas A. LaVeist, Ph.D. Darrell J. Gaskin, Ph.D. Patrick Richard, Ph.D. September 2009 foreward Not everyone in the United States enjoys the same health opportunities. Studies show that minority Americans experience poorer than average health outcomes from cradle to the grave. They are much more likely to die as infants, have higher rates of diseases and disabilities, and have shorter life spans. As the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration work toward enactment of legislation to reform America’s health care system, a central focus of the debate has been the projected cost of ensuring accessible and affordable health care to every citizen. While some have struggled with the premise that health care reform can actually reduce health-related spending, the experience of racial and ethnic minorities under our current health care system is a strong indication that improving opportunities for good health – and minimizing inequities in health care access and outcomes – may well be good for the nation’s fiscal health, as well. This study, commissioned by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and carried out by leading researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, provides important insight into how much of a financial burden racial disparities are putting on our health care system and society at large. The researchers examined the...
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...Assignment 4 The Influence of Health Policies and the Future of Health Care in the U.S. Based on the changing environment, as well as demographics in 21st Century America, there are many burgeoning issues and hurdles the U.S. Health Care System faces. As part of the preparation for your assignment, view the video titled “Health Care Issues and Problems in USA” (7 min 36 s). Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you: 1.Based on the video, analyze the main points presented by the narrator concerning issues and problems inherent in overall health care in the U.S. 2.Ascertain whether the narrator’s views are in sync with your opinion of 21st Century U.S. health care. Provide support for your rationale. 3.Provide a financial rationale for following the current U.S. health care policies. Discuss your position in which you highlight, at a minimum, economic and ethical considerations. 4.Reflecting upon the material covered in this course, outline a five (5) stage plan which articulates the main ways in which you would improve the present U.S. health care system. Introduction Our health care system is complex in the way it is setup and the way it operates. There are many key issues that face the health care system in the United States today. Three of the most difficult issues include diseases, health disparities and paying for health care. As we are capable of preventing diseases through preventive medicine and advanced technology, the mortality rate of the United States...
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...Hepatitis B Virus: Epidemiological and Social Implications Amy Berry Grand Canyon University Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V Sandra White August 21, 2015 Hepatitis B Virus: Epidemiological and Social Implications The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an infection that attacks the liver and is categorized as both acute and chronic. The geographic prevalence between five and ten percent is predominantly in African and East Asian countries and only a one percent occurrence in the United States. The global incidence of HBV is approximately two billion people worldwide and of those, 350 million have chronic liver dysfunctionality resulting in an increased mortality risk related to cirrhosis and hepatic neoplasms ("The World Health Organization," 2015). According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2013, acute cases of HBV totaled 3,050 and 31,763 chronic cases were reported in the United States and a it is estimated that a total of 140,000 patients are infected every year that are not reported or unknown, and of those, an upwards of 1,000 people will die of chronic liver disease resulting from HBV ("CDC," 2013). The introduction of the HBV vaccine in 1982 and the inoculation of infants has dramatically lowered the frequency of infection, however, certain subgroups such as hemodialysis patients, health care professionals, intravenous (IV) drug users, organ transplantation recipients and homosexual males are at higher risk and should be periodically tested...
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...Select a global health issue impacting the international health community. Briefly describe the global health issue and its impact on the larger health care system (i.e., continents, regions, countries, states, and health departments). How can health care delivery systems work collaboratively to address global health concerns? Malnutrition is a problem that is estimated to contribute to more than one third of death among children (WHO, 2014). Under nutrition is a form of malnutrition; it occurs when nutritional reserves are exhausted or nutritional intake is insufficient to satisfy daily needs or increased metabolic demands (Jarvis, 2013, p. 175). Prolonged periods in this state can lead to stunted growth which is associated with lower intelligence quotient and difficulty learning among children (Maurer and Smith, 2013). Malnutrition increases the risk of disease and early death. Children who are undernourished are also at risk for lower resistance to infectious diseases, delayed wound healing, longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs (Jarvis, 2013, p. 175). Political problems, wars, population increases, poverty and natural disasters contribute to the problem of malnutrition. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (as cited in the World Health Organization, [WHO], 2014), 792 million people worldwide are affected by long term food deficits including 20% of the population in developing countries. Malnutrition is especially common among poor populations...
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...Introduction Despite all the approaches, disparities still exist as one of the major concerns in health and health care today. We made a little progress comparing to the years before in addressing this issue. In addition, the Affordable Care Act offer opportunities to tackle this issue vigorously. I firmly believe that it will be a much bigger issue if we do not eliminate the disparities now it will be very challenging when the US population becomes much more diverse. However, this policy memo addresses this particular issue, summarizes the causes or issues known about health and health care disparities, and provides recommendations and approaches to confront it. Causes Healthcare disparities are references to the differences that exist...
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...Health Status of the Hispanics Introduction Hispanics represent the largest contingent of the minority population in the U.S. The CDC (2015) asserts that approximately 1 in 6 people staying in the U.S are Hispanic. While Hispanics are a considerable part of the U.S., the group faces significant health disparities. Current health status Lifestyle diseases are the leading cause of death among Hispanics. According to the CDC (2015), every 2 of 5 deaths among Hispanics are caused by cancer and heart disease. Equally, a large percentage of Hispanics lack health insurance. The CDC (2015) estimates that Hispanics are nearly 3 times as likely to lack insurance as whites. The inadequate insurance of Hispanics can be ascribed to the economic status of the group. As a result of immigration, most Hispanics are more likely than whites to hold menial and low paying jobs. Even if Hispanics may have the ability to purchase health insurance, the requirements of ACA (2010) exclude undocumented immigrant from doing so (Hummer & Hayward, 2015). Since some Hispanics are undocumented immigrants, it becomes difficult to purchase insurance. Regardless of the fact that Hispanics have low levels of insurance, they have high life expectancy. Hispanics live longer than other populations in the country. Notwithstanding having a considerably lower level of health insurance and educational attainment and a much superior level of poverty, Hispanics presently have high life expectancy than their socioeconomically...
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...Assignment 2 Assignment 2 This article objectives are intended to promote awareness of health disparities and inequalities with people affected by learning disabilities. People with learning disabilities have poorer health status than their non-disabled peers. There are shocking disparities in the health status of people with learning disabilities compared to the non-disabled population. People with learning disabilities experience a higher incidences in morbidity and mortality to preventable diseases compared to the general population (Emerson & Baines, 2010). Approximately, 210,000 people in the United Kingdom have severe or profound learning disabilities. A further 1.2 million people have a moderate to mild learning disability (Health, Healthcare for All: Report of the Independent Inquiry into Access to Healthcare for People with Learning Disabilities, 2008). On average, 2% of people in a general practice will have some degree of learning disability (Health, Once a Day One or More People with Learning Disabilities are likely to be in Contact with Your Primary Healthcare Team. How Can You Help Them?, 1999). Since this is a small percentage primary providers lack awareness of the health needs of people with learning disabilities. The multifaceted reasons why these disparities exist, and the role of practice nurses in improving health outcomes for people with learning disabilities will also be explored (Emerson & Baines, 2010). The learning disability...
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...1 HLTH 21: Health Education Spring 2012 Course Orientation This course is all about what YOU want and need to know about personal, family, and community health with an emphasis on epidemiology of disease, nutritional behavior, communicable disease, disease prevention, mental health, and substance abuse. It's really up to you to decide how much you want to get out of this course in terms of meeting your personal and professional goals. Learning Outcomes By the end of this course, students should be able to: Assess health behavior choices, apply that information to everyday life for the improvement of individual, family, and community well-being. Identify preconceived ideas about knowledge, values, and behavior that affect health and compare with established research and accepted scientific evidence. How to be Successful in this Course Plan to spend at least 9 hours per week on this course. Login and keep up with readings, discussions, and quizzes on a weekly basis. Click on Course Map and get familiar with it. First, introduce yourself in the Discussion Forum. Before you begin with the Module readings, take some time to get to know your classmates. Click on the Discussion and Private Messages link to the left of your screen. Click on Discussion Forum titled: Introductions Post a message to tell us a little bit about yourself such as your major, degree plans, career goals, hobbies/interests, and why you are taking this course. Read your...
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...beliefs, customs, practices, and values of a culture is essential for nurses and health care providers. Beyond the racial and ethnic group, classification that usually comes to mind with discussion of cultural diversity, other types of cultural diversity such as gender and organization affiliation warrants attention. This paper will discuss cultural competence in home health care/hospice, the people that receive service and issues of community vulnerability. Exploration of standards of cultural competence, potential impacts of delivery of care, and possible solutions to implement where standards are not being met will emerge. Cultural Competence According to Freidman, Bowden, and Jones (2003), people view culture as a model for our way of living, behaving, living, and feeling. An association between culture and heath practices is existent. In fact, culture is the most influential factor in determining health behaviors and beliefs (Campinha-Bacote, 2003). Cultural competence involves being aware of, and conversant on, and sensitive to the diverse cultures that exist in the population. Health care providers should not only embrace cultural diversity but must also strive for cultural competence in order to ensure that all patients receive the best care possible. Nurses spend the most time with their patients; therefore, if nurses are not aware of all the variables that can affect the patient’s health and outcome, such as culture, then this can affect the safety of the patient...
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...HIM 6114 Integrated Electronic Medical Records Assignment 4 Student Name: LaCarol Barnes Assignment Topic: ONC Goals and Objectives Introduction The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, coined the ONC, is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The office was created in 2004 via an Executive Order and reinforced by the implementation of the HITECH Act of 2009 (Health and Human Services). The purpose of the ONC is to assist the nation in the implementation, exchange, and progressing information technology in healthcare (Health and Human Services). In 2011, the ONC released its first Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. This plan required changes secondary o the implementation of the Affordable...
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...Paragraph 1: Introduction (100 words) It is important to look at how and why researchers may link medical information with other non-medical information, for example, where people live, their income and their education. An understanding of how these factors affect an individual’s health can help us to look beyond the healthcare system for ways to improve the health of New Zealanders. These factors are called the social determinants of health. This essay will take a closer look at some of these social determinants and how they can influence people’s health and well-being. It will also discuss research articles that provide examples of influences of social determinants of health relating to adults. Paragraph 2: SDH approach. Your discussion...
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...INTRODUCTION In recent years, patient-centeredness and cultural competence have been promoted as integral to improving health care quality. Although patient- centeredness and cultural competence have grown out of separate traditions each with its own focus they have many similarities. Health care that is patient-centered is likely also to be culturally competent, and culturally competent care is likely to be patient-centered. Proponents of patient-centeredness may therefore view cultural competence as within its purview; likewise, proponents of cultural competence may view patient-centeredness as an essential element. THE EVOLUTION OF PATIENT-CENTEREDNESS Patient-centered care supports active involvement of patients and their families in the design of new care models and in decision-making about individual options for treatment. The IOM (Institute of Medicine) defines patient-centered care as: "Providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values, and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions." The term “patient-centered medicine” was originally coined by Balint in 1969 to express the belief that each patient “has to be understood as a unique human being (Balint)".The concept has evolved and expanded, and today, no one would deny that health care should be patient-centered.2 However, despite universal endorsement of patient-centeredness, there is considerable ambiguity in its definition and use across settings...
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...in the developing world. Introduction: Cancer has becoming a main reason of death throughout the world, especially for developing countries with poor conditions which do not have a complete health system. Furthermore, it also causes the highest economic loss among all diseases. It has been reported by the American Cancer Society and LiveStrong (2010) that approximately 7.6 million mortality of cancer was reckoned and an economic loss of $895 billion was taken by it universally in 2008. In addition, it is projected that the aggregate amount of cases of cancer in developing countries will rise by 73% within 2000 and 2020. (International Journal for Equity in Health, 2005) These shows cancer is a disease bringing out a huge burden to the society. This is unaffordable if this situation remains. Below are causes of cancer in economic, environmental, social and personal aspect respectively. Economic: There are mainly two economic factors leading to cancer. The first reason is the poverty problem of countries. It is reported by Marmot, M. (2005) that poverty is harmful to health since it mainly leads to the problems of having unclean water and unhealthy diet of these places. Especially for developing nations, an enormous number of children died annually due to the lack of clean water and sufficient hygiene. (INCTR, 2013) In addition, it has been reported by INCTR (2013) that governments are not willing to invest and provide funds in the health field. In extreme case, only...
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