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Week7Replytopeers.docxCost, Access, and Quality
Nike
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According to Shi & Singh (2019), underserved population groups in the United States either face greater barriers than the general population in accessing timely and needed health care services or have special health-related issues that may go unaddressed (p.251). Examples of vulnerable and underserved population include persons living in rural areas and women.
Poverty is not the only challenge faced by rural residents in accessing health care, they also suffer from lack of public health infrastructure and poor access to health as compared urban dwellers. Rural residents have limited access to care due to geographic maldistribution of health care professionals. Only 10% of all practicing physicians are based in rural areas (p.260). The shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas makes it difficult to have access to timely and adequate care. Rural communities experience an increased burden of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, mental health disorder, tobacco use, and substance abuse (p.260).
“Even though the 1990s have been marked by rapid expansion in the absolute and relative number of practicing physicians, substantial rural shortages have persisted” (Rosenblatt & Hart. 2000).
Although the life expectancy of women in the United States is almost five years longer than men’s, women suffer poorer health outcomes and greater morbidity compared to men. Women have a higher prevalence of certain health problems than men over the course of
their lifetime (Shin & Singh, 2019, p.258). According to Gay (2018), two out of three women around the world presently suffer from the most debilitating disease known to humanity (p.4). women develop more acute and chronic illness, resulting in a greater number of short- and long-term disabilities, mental illness such as anxiety disorders and major depression are also more pronounced in women.
The racial/ethnic minority categories in the United states are black or African American, Hispanic, or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and other unidentified races. Minorities have poor access to health services, they receive poorer quality of care, and experience worse health outcomes (Shi & Singh, 2019, p. 254). The minority population experience higher rates of illness, mortality, and morbidity due to lack of adequate health services.
Philippians 2:4 “ let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”
Naomi Gregoire
Cost, Access, and Quality Discussion
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Choose 2 different vulnerable and underserved populations. Describe their health needs, and summarize the major challenges they face.
Although the United States appears to have it all together (sometimes) when it comes to health care, it is often lacking. For example, the United States has greater health disparities and health inequities than any other developed country (Shi & Singh, 2018). Our country has many populations facing these issues, and most of the time, it goes unaddressed. This discussion is set out to being attention to 2 different vulnerable and underserved populations. These populations include the uninsured and people facing mental health disorders.
The United States is not a country that offers universal healthcare, this means that many of its population tends to be uninsured. Yes, due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many previously uninsured people have received coverage, there is still a significant number of Americans that remain uncovered (Shi & Singh, 2018). Not only do these people not have medical coverage, but they also tend to be poorer and less educated than the rest of America (Shi & Singh, 2018). This does not mean they are any less deserving of receiving health care. I remember the first time I changed jobs, my old medical coverage ran up at the end of the month and my new one wouldn’t be effective until after the next month. That was one month without insurance. Although, many people don’t have insurance for far longer, it was scary to know something could happen and I wasn’t covered. Imagine what those people face every day.
Another vulnerable population in our country are those facing mental health disorders. Common mental health disorders include phobias, substance abuse, and affective disorders (Shi & Singh, 2018). These disorders are actually a leading cause of death from suicide, aside from cancer and cardiovascular disease (Shi & Singh, 2018). A lot of people facing mental health disorders do not have access to specialized care and are often just seen by their general medicine provider. I chose this population because I have personal thoughts on this, as I know many people trying to care for themselves and not receiving the support they need. As a PICU nurse, I see many patients who feel they are not enough and because of the mental health crisis, they do not know what else to do besides try to hurt themselves or worse. Nearly 10% of pediatric hospitalizations nationally were for a primary mental health diagnosis, compared with 3% of hospitalizations at a free-standing children’s hospital (Bardach et al., 2014). This is a hurting population and hopefully with more focus to it, things will change for the better.
Next, what are the racial/ethnic minority categories in the United States? Compared with Caucasian Americans, what are the health challenges minorities face?
According to Shi & Singh (2018), the main categories of race recognized in the United States include white, black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and a nondescriptive selection referred to as “some other race.” Poverty is a prime indicator in predicting a lack in basic human needs, such as clean water, nutrition, health care, and education (Noonan et al., 2016). The African American population is the poorest ethnic group in the United States; they had a peak median household income back in 2000, but it has since declined (Noonan et al., 2016). Due to a high correlation in poverty and poor health outcomes, there is an increase in heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood lead levels, and low birth weight among this population (Noonan et al., 2016). It is evident that the minority populations in the United States face far more health challenges than Caucasian Americans do.
I leave you with this verse, “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy” (King James Bible, 2017/1789, Psalm 82:3). We must uphold those who are facing challenges that we do not. Show them our love and the Lord’s love for they can always feel welcome in that.
References
Bardach, N. S., Coker, T. R., Zima, B. T., Murphy, J. M., Knapp, P., Richardson, L. P., Edwall, G., & Mangione-Smith, R. (2014). Common and Costly Hospitalizations for Pediatric Mental Health Disorders. PEDIATRICS, 133(4), 602–609. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-3165
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)
Noonan, A. S., Velasco-Mondragon, H. E., & Wagner, F. A. (2016). Improving the health of African Americans in the USA: an overdue opportunity for social justice. Public Health Reviews, 37(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-016-0025-4
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2018). Essentials of the U.S. health care system (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
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