Free Essay

Inequities in Healthcare

In:

Submitted By roms
Words 382
Pages 2
Inequities in Healthcare
Health inequities are avoidable inequalities in health between groups of people within countries and between countries. These inequities arise from inequalities within and between societies.
Geographic-based inequity
There has been inequity in healthcare due to the geographic differences. For example, Costa Rica has demonstrable health spatial inequities with 12-14% of the population living in areas where healthcare is inaccessible. Examples of health inequities between countries: * The infant mortality rate (the risk of a baby dying between birth and one year of age) is 2 per 1000 live births in Iceland and over 120 per 1000 live births in Mozambique. * Women in Afghanistan have a lifetime risk of maternal death of 1 in 11, while a woman in Ireland has a risk of 1 in 17 800. * A child born in Malawi can expect to live for 47 years while a child born in Japan can expect to live 83 years.
Income-based inequity
Socioeconomic status is both a strong predictor of health, and a key factor underlying health inequities across populations. Examples of income-based inequity are: * In the State of Virginia, a diagnosis of diabetes was reported among 13.7% of the lowest income Virginians, compared to 4.5% of those with the highest income. * In low-income countries, the average life expectancy is 57, while in high-income countries, it is 80.
Gender-based inequity * In India, gender is a significant determining factor in health. Gender inequities in health start in early childhood, as many families provide better nutrition and care for boys than girls. According to the WDR report, women in developing nations experienced greater mortality rates than men when comparing developing nations to more developed nations.
Racial-based inequity
Health inequities between African Americans and whites have been studied the most. According to the Centers for Disease Control: * African American men die on average 5.1 years sooner than white men while African American women die 4.3 year sooner than white women and they face higher rates of illness and mortality. * In the state of Virginia, the infant mortality rate for Black Virginians was 2.4 times greater than for White Virginians and the life expectancy for White Virginians was 78.6 years, compared to 73.4 years for African Americans.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Summary: The Contemporary Australian Healthcare System

...The contemporary Australian healthcare system isn’t perfect and so there are many factors that strive to influence the system and make it more equitable for all. Two of these factors will be discussed and the way that they impact health in Australia will be identified. The two key influences that will be examined are Medicare and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). For each idea, a basic history or background will be given, followed by what areas of the Australian health system need to be targeted, and, finally, how the factor currently affects the system. It can be argued that every single Australian has the right to equal healthcare access no matter who they are and where they are from. Factors such as Medicare and the Royal Flying Doctor...

Words: 1507 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

The Sociological Theories of Healthcare

...The Sociological Theories of Healthcare The healthcare industry is a huge social institution that people use throughout their lives. It is viewed differently in every culture and social group. It is especially viewed differently by three major sociological theories—the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist theories. These sociological perspectives can be easily applied to the healthcare industry. Sociology is the scientific study of social behavior and human groups (R. Schaefer, 2011, p. 5). It focuses on social relationships, how those relationships influence people’s behavior, and how societies, the sum total of those relationships, develop and change (R. Schaefer, 2011, p. 5). This helps form many theories of the development of the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist views of healthcare. A functionalist perspective is a sociological approach that emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability (R. Schaefer, 2011, p. 24). From a functionalist perspective, being sick must therefore be controlled so that not too many people are released from their societal responsibilities at any one time (R. Schaefer, 2011, p. 390). If this happens, then it will hurt our society and prevent it from being stable and functional. Sociologist Talcott Parsons, well known for his contributions to functionalist theory, outlined the behavior required of people who are considered sick (R. Schaefer, 2011, p. 390). This was also called the sick...

Words: 806 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Biopower Thesis

...I. Introduction: Limited Health Care Access for Hispanic Immigrants who are not citizens or legal permanent residents • The topic examined is how a particular group of immigrants (non-English speaking or non-Western) coming to the US receive insubstantial health care access. o The component issue is: immigrant status and inequity in the US healthcare system II. Thesis Statement: I will examine if Hispanic immigrants coming to the US receive limited health care access due to biopower (Foucault 1984). • This topic is important because I want to examine the role race may play in determining immigrants’ health care access. By doing so, I hope to find hidden prejudices that still exist in the US health care system. • Questions I want to answer in...

Words: 438 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Health Disparities

...In the 21st century, society has made great strides in recognizing and accepting individuals from diverse backgrounds. However, despite these advancements, members of the LGBTQ+ community still face significant disparities in healthcare. Discrimination, lack of understanding, and stigma have created barriers to quality healthcare for individuals in these groups, leading to negative health outcomes and perpetuating a cycle of inequality. It is imperative that healthcare providers and institutions address these disparities to ensure that all patients receive equitable care regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s not a surprise that LGBTQ+ people face disparities in both physical and mental health compared to their heterosexual...

Words: 1417 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Latinx Community Analysis

...Socioeconomic Factors and Immigration Status in Healthcare Accessibility for the Latinx Community in the U.S. Srijan Gattem College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles SOCIOL 185: American Society Dr. Isaac Speer 15 March 2024 The complex cobweb of the American healthcare system is not one that’s easily traversed, and the Latinx community, in particular, occupies a position filled with disparities and barriers that highlight the intersection of socioeconomic factors and immigration status. These barriers dig deep into medical care but also tie into systemic obstacles such as unequal employment levels, linguistic difficulties, and problems regarding legal status. Derose et al. (2007) discuss...

Words: 2241 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Racial Diversity in Society

...------------------------------------------------- Associate Program Material Racial Diversity in Society Worksheet Part I Complete the following using the MySocLab Social Explorer Map: Income Inequality by Race (located in the Learning Activities - Recommended section), as a reference: * Select 1 racial group from the list below: * African American * Asian American * Arab American * Hispanic American/Latino * White/Caucasian * Write a 200- to 300-word summary of the economic, social, and political standings of that group. Use additional resources if necessary, from the University Library, census, MysocLab SocLab Explorer Map and/or your textbooks. Students are expected to use sources to support their answers Provide in-text citations in the answer. And place their associated APA formatted references below. I chose the group of African Americans. Depending on the way that one particular person in that group was raised, is the way that person has decided to live their life. There are less African Americans that have decided to go into politics as there have been in any other racial group. However, there are a few who have decided to be a part of the political world, for example, our President Barack Obama who is a very successful African American. African American are more populated than other racial groups such as Asians, Arabs, and Hispanics. There is more talk about African Americans living in poverty than you do about any...

Words: 793 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Hlth10 Phase 1 Study

...What is the difference between a'smart' and a'smart'? How do changes in disease incidence and prevalence translate into healthcare utilization patterns? Changes in illness incidence and prevalence have a direct influence on healthcare consumption patterns, influencing all areas of healthcare delivery, resource allocation, and healthcare system design. The increasing need for medical services, diagnostic tests, treatments, and follow-up care that results from an increase in illness incidence also drives up healthcare usage. On the other hand, a decline in the occurrence of an illness might lead to fewer people using healthcare services. The demand for primary care services is one important way that variations in illness incidence and prevalence affect the use of healthcare resources. An increase in primary care visits for the diagnosis, treatment, and condition monitoring of medical disorders is frequently correlated with higher illness incidence. This increase in demand may put pressure on primary care resources, leading to longer appointment wait times and perhaps lower-quality care (Ford, 2020). Additionally, variations in the prevalence of an illness affect the need for specialist healthcare...

Words: 1821 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Post Code Analysis: Cryptosporidiosis

...This post code analysis will describe, discuss and analyse health resources and structures within a location and its population as well as it’s specific demands on paramedic skills and disposition. The postcode selected was based upon a recent paramedic clinical placement, this location is the Port Macquarie – Hastings area (2444) and will also reflect how unique problems associated with geography, demographics, spatial, equities and the links between these factors and the quality of pre-hospital and emergency care and includes SES profile for patient groups with their common reasons for calling triple zero. Geography can impact healthcare in numerous ways that can have positive and or negative effects, depending on where one lives will...

Words: 1844 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

The Millennium Development Goals: Global Health Inequities

...Health Inquiry, Global Health Inequities Introduction: The Millennium Development Goals (or MDG) are a set of 8 goals set by the world’s nations in hope of reducing poverty by 2015. These 8 goals address poverty, education, equality, disease and the environment. Each goal has a targets and indicators we are aiming to achieve by 2015. The purpose of this report is to report on the history, objectives and constitution of the MDG’s and the success and effectiveness of the MDGs. History of MDGs: In the 1990’s the United Nation (UN) member states went through a historically extraordinary UN press conference process. This conference was aimed at building consensus on development priorities for the 21st century. However, at the end of the 1990’s the governments of the conference experienced conference fatigue and feared the process launched by the conferences was losing steam. In September 2000 in New York there was a large gathering of world leaders called the Millennium Summit. This was the largest gathering of world leaders in history including 189 UN member-states. At the Millennium Summit the United Nation Millennium Declaration was adopted as a result of a series of global conferences held during the 1990’s. The UN saw the Millennium Summit as an opportunity to bring back the development of priorities for the 21st century. It was at this Millennium Summit that the Millennium Declaration set in motion a global partnership and was signed by 147 heads of states....

Words: 3629 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Healthcare

...I. Introduction a. Brief review of the concept of healthcare reform b. A thesis statement II. Effects of healthcare reforms on an insurance industry a. Reduces company’s profit margins b. Reduces company’s administrative costs III. Conclusion IV. Works Cited Healthcare reform affects patients, healthcare providers, government spending and biomedical researchers. A good healthcare reform should be cost effective in its implementations and affordability. In my view, any reform in the healthcare sector should be that, which widens the population that receives insurance coverage, diversifies and minimizes the cost of healthcare, protect the right patients and physicians as well as improves accessibility and quality in order to eliminate strikes of healthcare givers and suffering of patients. Although healthcare reforms should aim at fairness and sustainability, high costs of medical coverage and economic impacts on insurance companies are the major effects of healthcare reforms. Healthcare reforms have affected the profit margins, administrative costs, membership growth and medical management and expenses of insurance companies. The attempt by the insurance companies to strive to remain relevant in the business by providing adequately medical coverage only results to a lot of risk and adverse selection. In this case, majority of the members covered under the insurance scheme are sick, making the companies to pay out medical expenses...

Words: 430 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Wealth Care: The Struggle In Health Care

...Investor owned healthcare plans are profit driven which means the best care will go to the ones who can afford it and the less fortunate will suffer the cost-effective service. In Farmers Article, he states “In the name of cost effectiveness, we cut back health benefits to the poor, who are more likely to be sick than those who are not poor .” Our healthcare has become a profit driven business and not driven by the need for, or equality of that care. “…where you find no struggle, you find no justice” (Farmer, 1997). We, as nurses, must find the struggle, the struggle being healthcare reform, and social justice. The affordable healthcare act was an attempt to reduce the health care disparities, but needs much work still. We must take an...

Words: 343 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Health Disparities & Solutions

...Nurses can work with communities in a “grassroots” type movement to bring attention to the gravity of the inequities built into our current healthcare system. Healthcare is first and foremost about people, and care should be directed by the needs of the people it serves. Secondly, caring is foundational to nursing and this is a concept must be deeply woven throughout all points of health care. The third aspect is the vast pit of inequalities in healthcare; the injustices, denial of treatment and quality healthcare to minorities and the disadvantaged poor. Nurses are known patients advocates, therefore nurses are well equipped, to become leaders, in constructing equitable changes in the system and improve the model of care. Nurses are well- appointed in their understanding, negotiating skills, knowledge of healthcare and patient centered care, to provide guidance and direction to implement meaningful changes. Research in health disparities has identified, that the U.S is burdened by huge social and economic inequalities; it identifies, discrimination, social status, income inequality, and policy decisions as the principal causes of health disparities. The nursing profession needs to reconsider its role and its purpose in reducing health disparities, they need to be proactive in establishing, nurse-managed primary care clinics in under -served areas to increase healthcare access and promote preventative care. Numerous societal barriers as well as constraints within the nursing...

Words: 491 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Hela

...of life are highlighted throughout the book. Describe these differences and discuss what role social and economic inequities played in the lives of Henrietta, her family, the researchers and even the author of the book. The standard of living is a measurement which is used to measure the quality of life of the people who live in a country. Economists use it to compare geographic areas, (e.g. the standard of living in the United States versus Canada.) This measure can also be used to compare points in time. For example, compared with a century ago, the standard of living in the United States has improved greatly. The same amount of work now buys an increased quantity of improved products. Life expectancies have increased and racial segregation has been abolished. The divide between the rich and poor isn’t as great as it was a few decades earlier. The most popular method of calculating the standard of living is real GDP but this not gives an accurate measurement of standard of living. It normally requires considering additional measures. Nevertheless , the real GDP per person does tend to be positively associated with many things people value, including better goods and services , health, life expectancies and education”.(economics text book page 124) Henrietta Lacks was 31 years old when she died in Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, one of the few healthcare facilities that admitted African Americans. Prior to her death, cells from her tumor were examined by Dr. George Gey...

Words: 1371 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

AHIMA Code Of Ethics Case Study

...Ethics plays a vital role within the healthcare field by providing a shared framework in which the healthcare professional functions. There are many different health disciplines, each one with a separate and specific code of ethics. To better understand how ethics guides the behavior of the different health disciplines, the Codes of Ethics for the Travel Allied Healthcare Professional, Health Education Professional, and the Healthcare Ethics Consultant were compared to AHIMA’s Code of Ethics. In general, the Codes of Ethics were similar in many key points regarding the fulfillment and support of patient care, the upholding of individual patient rights and the need for professional competency and development. The results of the review identified the following nine overriding principles: 1. Place the welfare and safety of the patient above any personal interests. 2. Value and uphold the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information and use judgment in its dissemination and use. 3. Respect the individual dignity and worth of every...

Words: 556 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Debbies Dillemma

...years of being with the company, she began her master’s program to get her degree as a clinical nurse specialist with an understudy of children health. Even though the organization paid for half of her tuition and books, she devoted money and time to attain the degree. Through her obtaining her degree she expected a raise in pay as well as a higher status level. This theory helps to explain workplace dissatisfaction in healthcare settings. With Debbie’s dissatisfaction with hygiene factors within the company such as wages and relationships with peers, is the cause of her seeking other employment. Hearing how the LPN’s went behind her back and demanded that they to receive a raise in pay not to mention the treatment and disrespect she receives from them are all stressors that lead to Debbie’s dissatisfaction. Debbie made the decision to seek employment elsewhere. Among the influence of a person’s behavior on the job is the opinion that the process is fair. This theory, Adam’s Equity Theory, explains how employees act to the perception fairness and inequity. Keep in mind that people at work exchange inputs for outcomes. Debbie put in time and money to obtain her clinical nurse specialist degree (input) with...

Words: 735 - Pages: 3