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Statement of Topic
Healthcare disparities describe the variations in health status, disease burden, and access
to medical care among various groups of people. Many times, a mix of social, economic, and
environmental injustices contribute to health disparities. They may result in worse health
consequences, like increased disease rates, early mortality, and a reduced standard of living. A
key objective for enhancing the health and wellbeing of all populations is addressing health
disparities. This paper will explore health outcomes and the access to healthcare across various
population groups and geographical locations, along with looking at factors such as social
determinants of health, access to healthcare, and healthcare quality.
Reilly, M. (2021). Health disparities and access to healthcare in rural vs. urban
areas.Theory in Action,14(2), 6-27.$https://doi.org/10.3798/tia.1937-0237.2109
This article compares rural communities to urban communities and the population’s health
outcomes and health care access in each area. When discussing health outcomes these include
but are not limited to mental health, substance abuse, physical health and sexual health. When
discussing healthcare accessibility, it is the availability, affordability, and acceptability; but along
with this variables there are also barriers to consider which include poverty, occupation,
education, insurance, and level of scholastic education. Reilly (2021) uses statistical data in order
to show percentages of health diseases and health barriers when comparing people who live in
urban areas to those that live in rural areas (Reilly, 2021). Reilly (2021) also discusses ways in
which to help the population in these rural areas by addressing challenges associated with
availability, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare services (Reilly, 2021). While Reilly
points out major health disparities in the rural versus urban areas, she also points out ways in
which healthcare can help to decrease these health disparities in those rural areas. “Reducing
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these health disparities between rural and urban populations is important in improving quality of
life in rural areas” (Rielly, 2021, p 16).
Wasserman, J., Palmer, R. C., Gomez, M. M., Berzon, R., Ibrahim, S. A., & Ayanian, J. Z.
(2019). Advancing health services research to eliminate health care
disparities.American Journal of Public Health (1971),109(S1), S64-
S69.$https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304922
According to Wasserman, Palmer, et al., there are still inequalities in healthcare in the U.S.,
especially when it comes to access and service quality (Wasserman, Palmer, et al., 2019). This
article highlights the need for a more thorough comprehension of the ways in which
discriminatory access and care are caused by a variety of factors, including behavioral, cultural,
and health system concerns. The article also urges the use of practical, sustainable, and research-
based strategies that can guide policy reforms to help overcome these inequities and attain health
equity. “Understanding why healthcare disparities occur and how they contribute to population-
level health disparities is essential so that more effective equity-promoting interventions in
healthcare systems can be implemented and reductions in health disparities can be ultimately
achieved” (Wasserman, Palmer, et al., 2019, p.s68).
Ross, J. (2024). The impact of health care deserts on patient safety.Journal of
Perianesthesia Nursing,39(4), 686-687.$https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2024.05.002
This article discusses healthcare deserts such as places to seek routine care, pharmacies, places to
receive emergency care, etc. and how they relate to patient safety. Ross (2024) uses statistical
data to show not only how much of the U.S. has poor access to healthcare but also to show the
weight in how it is effecting patients. As of 2024 when the article was written, “9% of US
counties are considered PCP (primary care providers) deserts, were there are not enough PCPs to
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care for the population, and this is expected to only get worse” (Ross, 2024, p686). It is essential
for health care providers to understand healthcare disparities and healthcare deserts as they are
assessing, admitting, and discharging patients from healthcare facilities in order for the patients
to receive the best quality of care and the safest care possible.
Brînzac, M. G., Kuhlmann, E., Dussault, G., Ungureanu, M. I., Cherecheș, R. M., & Baba,
C. O. (2023). Defining medical deserts—an international consensus-building
exercise.European Journal of Public Health,33(5), 785-
788. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad107
The purpose of this article is to give a precise and thorough description of medical deserts that
can be utilized in a variety of settings and to guide research and policy regarding how to deal
with these healthcare issues. Brînzac, Kuhlmann, et al., (2023), employed a Delphi exercise since
its main goal is to generate a trustworthy consensus view and eliminate biases such as group
compliance and dominance. There are five factors that contribute to unmet healthcare needs,
according to the consensus-building exercise: a lack of resources (physicians, nurses, lab
technicians, radiologists, etc.); inadequate facilities (hospitals and doctor's offices); lengthy wait
times for patient care; the high cost of healthcare services; and sociocultural barriers (linguistic
and cultural differences).
Brown, A. F., Ma, G. X., Miranda, J., Eng, E., Castille, D., Brockie, T., Jones, P.,
Airhihenbuwa, C. O., Farhat, T., Zhu, L., & Trinh-Shevrin, C. (2019). Structural
interventions to reduce and eliminate health disparities.American Journal of Public
Health (1971),109(S1), S72-S78.$https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304844
BUSI 311
To address health disparities, this article examines and promotes a change in focus from
individual interventions to structural-level interventions. For marginalized groups to experience
significant and long-lasting gains in their health, it contends that structural reforms in the social,
economic, and political spheres are required. “Structural interventions are fundamentally rooted
in understanding, and often altering, the contexts through which health disparities emerge and
persist. They tackle complex combinations of structural determinants of health, including culture,
social position, racism, environmental settings, and policies” (Brown, et al., 2019, S75) . Brown,
et al., (2019) provides an analysis of health disparities and ways in which to reduce those
disparities through interventions, scientific frameworks, harness innovative and evidence-based
approaches, and more (Brown, et al., 2019).
BUSI 311
References
Brînzac, M. G., Kuhlmann, E., Dussault, G., Ungureanu, M. I., Cherecheș, R. M., & Baba, C. O.
(2023). Defining medical deserts—an international consensus-building
exercise.European Journal of Public Health,33(5), 785-
788. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad107
Brown, A. F., Ma, G. X., Miranda, J., Eng, E., Castille, D., Brockie, T., Jones, P., Airhihenbuwa,
C. O., Farhat, T., Zhu, L., & Trinh-Shevrin, C. (2019). Structural interventions to reduce
and eliminate health disparities.American Journal of Public Health (1971),109(S1),
S72-S78.Ihttps://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304844
Reilly, M. (2021). Health disparities and access to healthcare in rural vs. urban areas.Theory in
Action,14(2), 6-27.Ihttps://doi.org/10.3798/tia.1937-0237.2109
Ross, J. (2024). The impact of health care deserts on patient safety.Journal of Perianesthesia
Nursing,39(4), 686-687.Ihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2024.05.002
Wasserman, J., Palmer, R. C., Gomez, M. M., Berzon, R., Ibrahim, S. A., & Ayanian, J. Z.
(2019). Advancing health services research to eliminate health care disparities.American
Journal of Public Health (1971),109(S1), S64-
S69.Ihttps://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304922
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