Health Care Inequalities In America Book Report

Alabama ranks poorly on many health indicators. It is ranked 47th out of 50 in the nation in overall health; 43rd in cancer deaths, 2nd in deaths from cardiovascular disease and 3rd in the incidence of diabetes (Healthy People 2010). Also, Alabama is ranked 5th in the number of residents without health insurance. In my opinion, I believe the greatest challenge that these health disparities present is that very often socioeconomic status determines an individual’s health status. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, I witnessed many people in my community suffer from health issues because compared to other ethnic groups, African Americans, tend to be far less trusting of physicians and their medical advice. Notably, the distrust is rooted in pass corrupt cases, such as, the 40 year Tuskegee syphilis study and the case of Henrietta Lacks. The lack of minority representation in health professions is my motivation for pursuing a career in a health-related profession.

Terminating the medical care inequalities gap is a problematic, multifaceted task. A study that surveyed 14 racial and ethnic minority subgroups determined that health inequalities could be constricted by providing minorities with better health care coverage, more adequate language skills and assistance, and higher incomes. However, the authors noted that other important factors such as biases, uncertainty in the provision of medical care, and stereotyping would also need to be covered. Ending the disparity gap is not only ethically and professionally imperative, it remains an obvious civil rights inequality that must be addressed. Since the 1990s, federal government, health insurers, and other stakeholders have taken an increased interest in addressing health care inequalities among Hispanics groups. For instance, the Healthy People 2010 initiative highlighted the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities as a prominent public health goal for the next

Though it has been apparent that people of color have been treated as a subclass within the medical field for centuries; as was brought to light in The Tuskegee Syphilis Study, the recognition of forced hysterectomies and sterilizations of African American women in the 20th century and, to “The Negro Project” which worked to reduce the African American population through eugenics (Feagin & Bennefield, 2014). With even these three examples it is clear that the medical field has played a large role in creating both psychological and physical disadvantages and trauma for minority groups in America. Yet, it seems to be a subject that many professionals refuse to address. A meta-analysis conducted by Mayberry, Mili and Ofili found that,

Disparities in health and health care in the United States have been a longstanding challenge resulting in some groups receiving less and lower quality health care than others and experiencing poorer health outcomes. Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and low-income individuals are more likely to be uninsured relative to Whites and those with higher incomes. Low-income individuals and people of color also face increased barriers to accessing care, receive poorer quality care, and experience worse health outcomes. The Department of Health and Human Services Disparities Action Plan (HHS) sets out a series of priorities, strategies, actions, and goals to achieve a vision of a nation free of disparities in health and health care.

Many Americans have access to health care that enable them to receive the care they need. Other faces a variety of barriers that make it difficult to receive health care services. According to the National Healthcare Disparities Reports, racial and ethnic groups are disproportionately represented among the uninsured and lower socioeconomic status. The report showed that health insurance is a contributing factor for poor health for some of the core measures and little improvement (AHRQ, 2014).

There are vulnerable groups that have significant problems in the health care system, due to this population being made vulnerable because of their financial circumstances or place of residence, health, age, race, mental or physical state. Access to health care across different populations are the main reason for current disparities in the United States health care system. Moreover, with a large amount attention being given to racial disparities in health, the meaning of race has come under increased scientific examination. (Sondik, 1997) Consequently, race remains to be one of the most politically charged topics in American life, because it's linked to sociocultural element often has led to classifications that have been ambiguous and improperly

There continues to be racial and ethnic disparities in the United States, and these problems need to be addressed since the rate of racial/ethnic populations in the country are steadily rising. According to the 2001 United States Census, “racial/ethnic minority populations are growing at such a fast rate that by 2050 more than 50% of the population will belong to a minority group” (Weech-Maldonado, Al-Amin, Nishimi, Salam, 2011). Race and ethnicity should not determine the levels of health care people receive. Certain races have genetic predispositions for certain diseases and that fact cannot be changed. However, the differences among race for things such as treatment, access to health care, and availability of medicine should not be as great as they are. One of the most important disparities that exists between racial/ethnic groups is access to care, specifically how access to care is limited due to treatment not being tailored to the needs of different minorities.

Though the civil rights movement made substantial progress yet race remains a controlling factor in dictating who gets access to healthcare, the quality of care, and health insurance coverage. Because this stems from the supremacist belief that one race is superior, I would educate my patients, my colleagues, and my classmates on the importance of equity between all

In 2003, the Institute of Medicine published a report outlining potential steps to work towards eliminating healthcare disparities, by suggesting a strategic approach by addressing the challenges within the health care systems, the federal and state legislative context in which they operate, clinicians and their patients (Betancourt JR, King RK, 2003). The intended goals of reducing and eliminating healthcare disparities, has continually been an agenda item for policy makers over the past few decades, but there has been no significant change. The root of the segregated mindset which implies minorities should be treated as lesser class humans is a part of American history and because of this, it is America’s responsibility to eliminate it(William D,

There are several disparities where health care is deprive between minorities African American, Hispanic and low-income communities. Healthcare quality and access to care are unequal among racial and low-income groups. Black American and Hispanic have face with poor access to health care among any other race, and the low- income family who have been offers low stander of care according to the American Medical Association eventually suffer from” higher mortality rates, higher incidence of major diseases, and lower availability and utilization of medical services” (50-I-95).

In this article, the experience of a medical doctor is used to shed light on the subject of racial bias/ discrimination in health care and how it is affecting health outcome of racial and ethnic minority. “Race or ethnic group is a major social factor that influences health in the U.S Braveman 387. Health inequity is at the center stage of public health discussion. Understanding the upstream factors that causes inequities and disparities can help to bridge the gap of inequality. Eliminating health disparity will protect and improve the health of racial and ethnic minority population, which is consistent with the principle of public health-improving and protecting health of populations.

Discrimination and the differential quality of medical care African-Americans receive are seen in all levels of professional healthcare workers. Dr. Tweedy, a prominent psychiatrist and author of New York Times Bestseller A Black Man in a White Coat, has made claims about the difficulties and differences in healthcare treatment quality African-Americans receive (Weintraub, 2016). Studies from many medical professionals show that African-Americans face lesser quality and differential treatment due to social stigma and racial biases, whether these patients are in the Emergency Department, or seen by different health care professionals, such as registered nurses and surgical clinicians (Pletcher et. al, 2008; Haider et. al, 2015). The accumulation of discrimination, racial biases, and communication barriers between African-American patients and physicians are the reasons why African-Americans receive differential quality in medical care. The most effective way to improve and decrease these quality differences is to be proactive and educate health care workers by improving interpersonal skills and increasing awareness and cultural sensitivity training in both current and future healthcare professional workers.

In summary, the text elaborates on the issues at hand with both the business and social aspects of the inconsistencies in reaching fair and equitable healthcare within the United States. The aim is to reduce these discrepancies of racial/ethnic or socioeconomic disparities within the healthcare system by implementing interventions. A vital intervention is escalating responsibility and taking a closer look to polish up the quality of clinical care given for individual patients and communities. While working on these health imbalances, the healthcare organizations want to know that there will be a return on investment.

Inside the confines of the United States, millions of people are not able to enjoy prosperity, wealth, and privilege which remains to be a rare commodity despite our countries inured financial ability. Health is one of the aspects that remain stagnant. Various people with different ethnicities face many of the same health risks, but they also have fears unique to their racial, ethnic, cultural upbringings. To gain an understanding of these modifications and formulation of race responses requires an individual to study more in depth their surroundings. The health care delivery systems are not exempt from disparities. Such disparities cause a need for improvement in the areas of social interaction, economic viability, environmental awareness, or occupational security. Some investigators have examined concerns related to stigma, social support, lack of a home, and poor cultural understanding by providers. Along with a plethora of researchers who have lots of knowledge on this issue, I wanted to further investigate how socioeconomic factors have a huge mark on race and health disparities in the United States.

The first issue that I learned after watching the health disparities video is despite similar levels of education and economic standing that African American women have the higher rates of infant mortality than Caucasian females with less education and a lower economic standing. The video theorized that this anomaly was most likely due to with experiences associated with racism. The video asserted that racism was a constant stressor and that neuroendocrine and sympathetic nervous system changes caused by stress could result in the gradual breakdown of the body and its systems.