Essay On Health Disparities

. Addressing health inequalities and health care is not only important from the point of view of social justice, but also to improving the health of all Americans by improving the quality of care and health of their children. People. Moreover, the difference in health is expensive. An analysis estimates that about 30% of total direct medical expenses for blacks, Hispanics and Asians are excessive costs due to inequalities in health. The difference also leads to economic losses due to indirect costs related to loss of productivity and premature mortality. (Artiga,

The newly acquired ideas were implemented in various Native American programs to improve the mental/physical health of all Native Americans. Most programs, however, base their ongoing work on four key concepts. . (Beal et al 2005) They are analyzing how alcohol and drugs affect the immediate family unit as well as how it affects relatives and friends physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What, if any of these affects are being carried down from one generation to another. Does alcohol set off any of the other affects such as drug abuse, mental illness et al? Finally, coming to the carefully scrutinized observation that alcoholism often co-exists in Indian communities with certain definite other problems like depression, self-hate, cultural shame, and stress-related acting out or inappropriate misconduct. (NADC 2011)These four main ideas are still used today to further identify and improve mental health conditions among the Native Americans.

Nichea Spillane argues that “Alcohol use among American Indians is perhaps the largest health concern in many American Indian communities” (8). Even with free medical clinics, known as Indian Health Services, many Native Americans who live in cities or have left their tribal lands find it difficult to receive the medical care that is needed. This could explain why, “Uninsured American Indians or Alaska Native Adults were more likely than uninsured adults in the general population to have binged on alcohol in the past month” (SAMHSA 6). Study after study show the disturbing effects of alcohol on the American Indians’ health. From minor health problems to alcohol-attributable deaths, to mental health and suicides, there is no way to document all the damage caused by excessive drinking. It is documented that “…excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of preventable death and years of lost life in this population. During 2001-2005, AmericanIndian/ AlaskaNatives were more than twice as likely to die from alcohol-related causes, compared with the U.S. general population (Naimi et al. 940).

This article review will discuss health care disparities in African Americans by examining the study of Abdou and Fingerhunt (2014), “Stereotype Threat Among Black and White Women in Health Care Settings” (There are a variety of studies focusing on stereotypes in academics and sports among racial groups, however, a minimal research on the impact on health services. This topic is of great significance because African American women of high socioeconomic and below poverty line are not seeking health care. This is a result of repeated anxiety and stress related to what medical professionals think of them. The belief of being judged for their skin color has resulted in health disparities as medical members are not providing individual care,

Health disparities are defined as unfair health differences experienced by people of different social, economic and/or environment background, including ethnic and cultural minorities (Jarvis, 2016 ). Racial and ethnic disparities adversely affect pregnant women and infants which limit their access to health care and other services resulting to low birth weight infants and preterm births. For example, preterm birth, low birth weight and infant mortality are higher in black population, compared to the white population (National Center for Health Statistics, 2012). Low birth weights and premature births puts them at high risk for long term health problems, social and financial consequences for the family and on the community. As they

Although the United States is a leader in healthcare innovation and spends more money on health care than any other industrialized nation, not all people in the United State benefit equally from this progress as a health care disparity exists between racial and ethnic minorities and white Americans. Health care disparity is defined as “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social or economic disadvantage…adversely affecting groups of people who have systematically experienced greater social and/or economic obstacles to health and/or clean environment based on their racial or ethnic group; religion; socioeconomic status; gender; age; mental health; cognitive, sensory or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion” (National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities [NPAEHD], 2011, p. 3). Overwhelming evidence shows that racial and ethnic minorities receive inferior quality health care compared to white Americans, and multiple factors contribute to these disparities, including geography, lack of access to adequate health coverage, communication difficulties between patients and providers, cultural barriers, and lack of access to providers (American College of Physicians,

Barriers in health care can lead to disparities in meeting health needs and receiving appropriate care, including preventive services and the prevention of unnecessary hospitalizations (HealthyPeople.gov, 2012). In their 2008 annual report, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality lists several disparities’ in health care. They report that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States

classes are perhaps not as clear as they used to be. But it is just as

Health Disparities Amongst Adolescent Pregnancies Health disparities are of significant concern to both the financial and physical well being of our population nationally and globally. One population vulnerable to health disparities includes adolescents who have become pregnant and those who live lifestyles that place them at risk for becoming pregnant. This paper defines health disparity, discusses social determinants of health for adolescents who are pregnant or at risk for becoming pregnant, and the health disparity that exists amongst this population. A health disparity can be defined as what occurs when explicit population groups experience poorer morbidity and mortality rates, and worse health outcomes. Individuals from different population groups may endure the same health condition to the same extent, but one may lack adequate resources, face prejudices, and have poor health habits resulting in a poor health outcome.

The Behavioural or Cultural Explanation: places emphasis on the individuals and the consequences of their behaviour, when they choose to eat, drink and live healthily the inequalities will be reduced.

What does the term health disparities mean? Health Disparities mean the challenges someone faces when trying to gain access to healthcare due to racial or socioeconomics issues. "Health disparities focused on documenting differences in the prevalence and incidence of disease and solutions focused on addressing health behaviors and access to health care" (Kotch, p. 244, 2013). There are many issues associated with trying to gain access to healthcare, which are improving daily. Which racial/ethnic groups are more likely to be affected by health disparities?

Sexual and social stigmas largely affect the health of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population. While many reports from the Institute of Medicine, Healthy People 2020 and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recognize a need to improve the quality of health care, barriers still remain. LGBT patients face legal discrimination, especially with insurance, a lack of social programs, and limited access to providers competent in LGBT health care. Although the Affordable Care Act increased access to care for LGBT patients, unless these patients feel understood by providers and develop trust in the system, they are not likely to utilize care. Healthcare providers need to recognize how these vulnerabilities, as well as persistent racism and stigma linked to sexual orientation and gender identity, make the healthcare needs of LGBT patients more challenging than the general population. Healthcare providers also need to promote cultural competence within this population and broaden their clinical lens to include health promotion, in addition to addressing concerns mentioned above within the population. Additionally, medical and nursing schools need to ensure that future providers are adequately educated by including information about this population in the curriculum.

Sex-based health disparities occur throughout the world. However, these disparities are nowhere greater than in resource-poor countries. Unfortunately, women in developing countries still suffer disproportionately from inadequate health services. They lack basic healthcare, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation, cervical cancer, and more. Justifiably, the health of these women is presently an important public health concern throughout the world.

The aim of this essay is to examine the influence that socio-economic status has on an individual’s health.

Within the United States, there are substantial inequalities between the places and people. The rural community is one of such significant inequalities and health care disparities. With approximately one-sixth of the population in the United States of America living in rural areas, it is necessary to address the social and economic conditions accountable for the health disparities and inequalities among this vulnerable population.