...Health Care Disparities: Central of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined heal disparities as “the differences in health outcomes and their causes among group of people.” These differences are closely linked with some racial and ethnic minorities, such as social, economic, and/or environmental (CDC, 2011). Health disparities are the metrics used to measure the health equity, where health equity represents providing qualified health care services for different groups of populations regardless there race, ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and geographic location (Georges, Benjamin, 2015). In the U.S. health care disparities is one of the longstanding health challenges with severe influences not only...
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...Health Disparities Health disparities are the health issues that different groups of people have based on many factors. These factors include race, gender, economic status, and age. Many types of disparities exist in the United States, mostly in health. This disparity in health has been an issue for many decades. Individuals with less education are more likely to experience a number of health risks. These health risks include obesity and substance abuse compared to those with more education. “Other influences on healthcare include the availability of access to high-quality education, nutritious food, health insurance, and decent and safe housing” (Disparities). As the population becomes more diverse it is important that we acknowledge health disparities. One of the health disparities that this diversing of the population involves is the access and quality care cannot keep up with the demands. “Today a number of groups are at a disproportionate risk of being uninsured, lacking access to care, and experiencing worse health incomes including people of color and low come individuals”. (Kaiser) Today the life expectancy of American’s is much greater than it was 50-100 years ago. Thus, meaning our elderly are much more in need or good health care and insurance. Even though health has improved for our older generation and the life expectancy has grown some do not receive equal health care based on their income. The CDC recognizes this is a continuing problem and they are trying to...
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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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...The Health Status of American Indians/Alaskan Natives Aretha Ha Grand Canyon University: NRS-429VN Family-Centered Health Promotion April 10th, 2016 The Health Status of American Indians/Alaskan Natives Did you know that approximately 3.7 million American Indians (AI) and Alaskan Natives (AN) make up 2% of the total U.S. population? This classifies them as one of the smallest racial and ethnic population groups in the U.S. There are 567 federally recognized (AI/AN) tribes and more than 100 state recognized tribes with 78% of the AI/AN population living outside these tribal areas (OMH, 2012). This geographic distribution gives them less access to hospitals, clinics, and necessary health services. Geographic isolation, cultural barriers, environmental factors, low income, and many other interrelated factors directly contribute to AI/ANs lower health status compared to other Americans. This essay seeks to identify these health disparities that make this population least likely to get adequate needed health care. Health Status AI/ANs face an overall lower health status and higher rates of chronic conditions which shortens life expectancies compared to other racial and ethnic group. There is a wide range of life issues stemming from economic and social conditions that may account for the health disparities. Inadequate education, disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences are just a few. Life Expectancy The...
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...Healthcare disparities continues to be an issue, despite the progress and improvement in healthcare. Racial disparities, primarily associated with certain population is overwhelmingly caused by lack of health insurance coverage, assess to care and the quality of care received. Social determinant also plays a major role in healthcare outcomes for individuals. In the more affluent areas of communities across the country the life expectancy increases tremendously. In the poor and low income areas, individuals are plagued with health issues and lack of the basic resources for survival. Why is this? It comes down wealth and access to resources. More resources and opportunity are in areas where there is wealth. With the implementation of the affordable care act provisions have been made to help mitigate some of the challenges seen regarding access to care. For example, Maryland has pocket of community in low income areas that do not have access to healthcare. I know this trend occurs across the country. The question is what to do to...
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...Health Care Disparities of Native Americans Grand Canyon University Health Care Disparities of Native Americans For many years, the Native American lived a balanced, spiritual lifestyle in which the body played a vital role in the trio with the spirit and mind. One may presume the Native American to be the least at risk for health issues. Yet, they are plagued with several risk factors for chronic diseases. In fact, one adult Native American out of five will suffer from two or more chronic health issues (CDC, 2014). How did a racial community evolve from living off the land full of fresh vegetables, and fishing for lean proteins to be found with such a downtrodden health care outlook? This essay will answer this introductory question as a compare and contrast to non-American Natives’ health statuses are presented. Today, healthy living and good nutrition is not a common finding within 566 known tribal communities or more than 5.2 million American Indians existing within the United States (CDC, 2014). The American Indian is categorically within the highest risk for many chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and alcoholism. Motor vehicle related injuries and deaths rates are also estimated to be 2-4 times the rates of other races and ethnicities. Infant death rates are also significantly higher compared to non-American Indian families (CDC, 2014). To Native Americans health promotion involves a holistic view. A harmony exists within...
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...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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...Health Needs Assessment: Practice Population BSc (Hons) Specialist Practitioner Community Nursing Word Count: 3836 Pages:17 Public health is a multifactorial approach to the health of the population and is concerned primarily with the promotion of health (Naidoo and Wills 2000). Wanless (2004) defines it as ‘The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society, organisations, public and private, communities and individuals’. Baggott (2004) agrees with the above, but suggests that public health is fundamentally concerned with the activities of the community to improve health, rather than treatment of disease in individuals. As a student practice nurse working in a GP practice in primary care I will often be the public’s first point of contact with the National Health Service (NHS) (Ewles and Simnett 1999). Primary care is increasingly being seen as the key area within the NHS for the implementation of public health strategies (Peckham 2003, p.20). It is important, therefore, that I have an understanding of the wider issues which impact on the health of individuals and the population as a whole, in my area of practice (Jones 2000). Carey (2003, p.221) suggests that it is crucial for practice nurses to deliver care that meets the needs, and addresses the public health issues of the local population. One way to review whether health services are...
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...Accessing Healthcare Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) Iowa Danielle Fisher HCA 430 Prof. Jon Lasell April 2nd, 2012 With the many different vulnerable populations out there in the United States, the one that needs the most look after are people with alcohol or substance abuse. With the way that some people live day to day, it is hard to keep track of people who need help in the areas of drug abuse. Where I live, in Cedar Rapids Iowa, there is the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) that helps people receive substance abuse treatment services that they need. The services that they provide are substance abuse treatments and the halfway housing which helps monitor people with heavy drug abuse problems. The type of care that is provided at the ASAC is the following: residential short-term treatment, residential long-term treatment, outpatient, and partial hospitalization/day treatment. For the ASAC the strengths to the program are its ability to adapt to different cases of people with drug abuse problems seeking help needed for their situation. Among the many different things that they have for common drug users, there are also special programs and groups that are provided as well. Adolescents, persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, pregnant/postpartum women, women, residential beds for clients' children, DUI/DWI offenders, and criminal justice clients are all the special groups that can be found there. Not everyone who is dealing with the...
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... Topics 2 and 3 – Sociological Perspectives on Health and Illness Gray, D. (2006) Health Sociology: An Australian Perspective, Sydney: Pearson (Chapter 2: Theoretical Approaches to Health and Illness). http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/ereserve/pdf/gray-d1.pdf Topic 4 – The Australian Health Care System and Medical Dominance Allsop, J. (2006) ‘Medical Dominance in a Changing World: The UK Case’, Health Sociology Review, 15(5): 444-457. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/docview/203159309/1366604FAEF6B748988/5?accountid=10344 Benoit, C., Zadoroznyj, M., Hallgrimsdottir, H., Treloar, A. and Taylor, K. (2010) ‘Medical Dominance and Neoliberalisation in Maternal Care Provision: The Evidence from Canda and Australia, Social Science and Medicine, 71: 475-481. http://ac.els-cdn.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/S027795361000314X/1-s2.0-S027795361000314X-main.pdf?_tid=f431c118-1bdd-11e2-8e5b-00000aab0f26&acdnat=1350865267_a1391f139d0114a9d79046d28e270495 Topic 5 – Healthcare Workers: Nursing and Allied Health Speed, S. and Luker, K.A. (2006) ‘Getting a Visit: How District Nurses and General Practitioners “Organise” Each Other in Primary Care’, Sociology of Health and Illness, 28(7): 883-902. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9566.2006.00511.x/pdf Di Luzio, G. (2008) ‘Medical Dominance and Strategic Action: The Fields of Nursing and Psychotherapy in the German Health Care System, Sociology of Health and Illness, 30(7): 1022-1038. http://onlinelibrary...
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...Health disparities among racial and ethnic groups present a complex national issue. ….Health disparities are the differences in frequency, commonly occurring, raising the death rate, diseases that are difficult to bear, and other adverse health conditions or outcome that exists among specific population groups in the United States. …The specific population groups can be based on gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, sexual orientation, disability, or special health care needs. Health disparities occur among groups who have persistently experienced historic trauma, social disadvantage, or discrimination. They are widespread in the United States as demonstrated by the fact that many minority groups in the United States have a higher incidence of chronic diseases, higher mortality, and poorer health outcomes when compared to whites.” ( Multicultural Health. n.d., p.14) …The causes of health disparities are due to both voluntary and involuntary factors. Voluntary factors are related to health behaviors, such as smoking and diet, and can be avoided. …Factors such as genetics, living and working in unhealthy conditions, limited or no access to health care, language barriers, limited financial resources, and low health literacy skills are often viewed as being involuntary and unfair, because they are not within that person’s control.”(Multicultural Health., n.d., p.19) From the research reported by the institute of medicine an overwhelming body of evidence in the...
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...Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the U.S. Healthcare Delivery System Alden Knight Health Services System – HSM541 DeVry University, Keller Graduate School of Management August 10, 2013 According to HHS when it comes to racial and ethnic disparities, they identify the lack of insurance as a significant driver of healthcare disparities. Lack of insurance, more than any other demographic or economic barrier, negatively affects the quality of health care received by minority populations. Racial and ethnic minorities are significantly less likely than the rest of the population to have health insurance. They constitute about one-third of the U.S. population, but make up more than half of the 50 million people who are uninsured (HHS 2011). Unfortunately, it has a negative impact on the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Primary care is the most important part of the health care system. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the AHRQ, about 30 percent of Hispanic and 20 percent of Black Americans lack a usual source of health care compared with less than 16 percent of whites. Also, Black Americans and Hispanic Americans are far more likely to rely on hospitals or clinics for their usual source of care than are White Americans (AHRQ 2013). The American Hospital Association or the AHA has convened the Special Advisory Group on Improving Hospital Care for Minorities as part of ongoing...
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...With regards to this assignment the aims are to analyse patterns of health within the adult population regarding health disease and exclusion, whilst also having the ability to assess the health needs and the impacts they have on individuals and their communities. The assignment targets to analyse and investigate public health perspectives, ideologies, with the use of current legislation and policies. Public health aims to help people avoid becoming ill with strategies to help stay healthy, this is defined by the Department of Health (2012) which states a variety of policy areas of concern, these include immunisations, alcohol, drug users, sexual health, pregnancy, smoking, alcohol and a child’s health (DOH, 2012). The health issue chosen for this assignment will be smoking in pregnancy and the implications smoking can have with regards to health issues and the problems faced globally, nationally and within a chosen demographical area. In order to clarify what is meant by the term ‘health’ an understanding must be achieved and although according to the World Health Organisation (1986) health being ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. Although this is a highly thought of definition according to Macaulay & Herbert (2011) the (WHO, 1986) definition of health is no longer appropriate and should be changed towards ‘the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges’...
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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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...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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