...Williams MPH 5220 U02D1 Barriers to Reducing Disparities in Health Care July 17, 2013 The purpose of this post is to disseminate the learners view regarding the barriers to reducing disparities in health care. The National Library of Medicine defines Healthcare disparities as a “differences in access to or availability of facilities and services,” and “Health status disparities refer to the variation in rates of disease occurrence and disabilities between socioeconomic and/or geographically defined population groups” (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013). A barrier to reducing disparities based on race and ethnicity is to increase education related to those chronic diseases that most affect communities of color. Community Outreach and Public Engagement/Cultural Competencies are used within the public sector; however, the effectiveness of these programs must be questioned. Rebecca Voelker (2008) states, “Not only did treatment disparities persist; the magnitude of the disparities did not diminish” (Voelker, 2008), the ineffectiveness of health care programs persist and perpetuates the cycle of health care disparity and health status disparity. Voelker references the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH 2010) a pilot program in South Carolina and Georgia, which are examples of effective outreach to communities of colors, these programs were managed effectively and precisely, thus they were able to reduce the disparity gaps per disease (Voelker, 2008)...
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...Decreasing health disparity in the Hispanic community Grand Canyon University Family Centered Health Promotion NRS-429V-O50 Decreasing health disparity in the Hispanic community About 36.6% of the population in the U.S belong to or identifies as one of the 5 ethnic minority groups. These groups are Native Hawaiian, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, African American or Black, or Pacific Islander. The U.S has the most expensive health care system in the world yet many of these minority groups are worse off in regards to socioeconomic and health care status if compared to white Americans. It is plain to see this health disparity when some communities have death rates comparable to 3rd world countries. As of 2013, according to the U.S Census Bureau, one of the largest minority groups was people of Hispanic origin; they made up about 17% of the U.S population or approximately 54 million people. This group is a rapidly growing set that it is estimated that by 2060, Hispanics would number around 128.8 million people. ("CDC," 2015) x Just like all ethnic groups in the U.S, the Hispanic population wishes to stay healthy, however due to high rates of poverty, this group experiences huge disparity in health care services. In 2012 29.1% of Hispanics lacked medical insurance. ("CDC," 2015) This becomes a problem that leads to another set of problems. Sick people are often diagnosed at a later time, due to lack of medical insurance or funds to access...
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...Health Disparities Solutions: Nurses Can Make a Difference Can Nurses make a difference in reducing health disparities? I believe we can make a big difference, 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...
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...1 HEALTH DISPARITIES 2 The Health of Hispanic and Latinos Health disparities in the diverse American demography creates challenges in the overall health status of ethnic minorities. Tragic disadvantages on obtaining optimal health care can be linked to variables such as being from a specific socioeconomic status, race, geographic location, age, gender, mental health, genetic background, or having a disability. This injustice on how health care is being provided is debilitating for patients and the communities that they live in. Statistics Reviewing the statistics for Hispanics in the community against other groups indicates that the overall health of ages is fair or poor health in 9.6% of the population (National Center for Health Statistics, 2015). Another alarming statistic is that 16.4% of men and 7.4% of woman above 18 smoked cigarettes (National Center for Health Statistics, 2015). The rate of people under the age of 65 who did not have health insurance was over 25.5 percent (National Center for Health Statistics, 2015). Many of the diseases in the top categories that caused death in this population were cancer and heart disease (National Center for Health Statistics, 2011). Ethnic Disparities The racial ethnic disparities was greatest in both income and education for Hispanics and Non-Hispanic American Indians/ Alaskan Natives in the year 2011 (Disparities in Healthcare Quality Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups, 2014). Hispanics struggle...
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...Heath Status of The Latino or Hispanic Population Maria Funez NRS-429V Family-Center Health Promotions February 29, 2015 Heath Status of The Latino or Hispanic Population Hispanics migrate to the United States for many different reasons but one of the most powerful motivators of migration whether legal or illegal is economic instability within the countries of origin. Although, is dangerous crossing the Mexican boarder to reached the U.S. the hopes for a better life is a powerful motivator to risk one’s life. Once in the U.S. Many Hispanics assimilate to the American life by means of education, learning a trade, and obtaining good paying jobs. Others have a harder time to assimilate to American culture due to the inability to learn the language, lack of education, or skills to facilitate better paying jobs. The Hispanic or Latino population in the United States has become one of the fastest growing minority groups in the country. According, to the United States Census Bureau (2010), there are 50.5 millions Hispanic or Latinos living in the United States. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010, p.2). Nevertheless, the Hispanic population is facing many challenges; some of those challenges are associated to health. In deed, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the health status, how is health promotions define, and what health disparities’ exist for the Hispanic or Latino population in the U.S. According to Smith et al. (as cited by Page-Reeves, Nifaratus, Mishra, Gingrich, &...
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...Introduction Despite all the approaches, disparities still exist as one of the major concerns in health and health care today. We made a little progress comparing to the years before in addressing this issue. In addition, the Affordable Care Act offer opportunities to tackle this issue vigorously. I firmly believe that it will be a much bigger issue if we do not eliminate the disparities now it will be very challenging when the US population becomes much more diverse. However, this policy memo addresses this particular issue, summarizes the causes or issues known about health and health care disparities, and provides recommendations and approaches to confront it. Causes Healthcare disparities are references to the differences that exist...
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...Healthcare Disparities amongst minorities Racial and ethnic minorities have a predisposition to obtain a lower quality of healthcare than those of non-minorities, even when access-related factors, such as a patients’ insurance status and income, are measured. The sources of these disparities are complex, and are rooted in historic and contemporary injustices, and includes numerous participants at several levels, including health systems, their administrative and bureaucratic processes, utilization managers, healthcare professionals, and patients. Research and studies have found indications that stereotyping, prejudices, and uncertainty on the behalf of healthcare providers can all contribute to unequal treatment. The situations in which many clinical encounters take place - written off as high time pressure, cognitive complexity, and pressures for cost containment, may perhaps increase the chance that these practices will consequently result in care poorly matched to minority patients’ needs. Minorities can experience a range of other barriers to accessing care, even when insured at the same level as Caucasians; which may include language barriers, geographical areas, and cultural familiarities. Furthermore, financial and institutional arrangements of health systems, as well as the legal, regulatory, and political atmosphere in which they function, may have unequal and negative effects on minorities’ capability to reach quality care. A widespread, multi-level...
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...Running head: ASSIGNMENT 1, WEEK 6 Assignment 1 Teassa Eubanks Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness Mansour Rostami, Instructor November 13, 2010 Minority Population | Health disparities | Native American Indian Native Alaskan | Health disparities are believed to be the result of the complex interaction among genetic variations, environmental factors, and specific health behaviors. Compared with other Americans, Indians experience disproportionately high mortality from alcoholism, tuberculosis, diabetes, injuries, suicide, and homicide. Tribal leaders report that diabetes, unintentional injuries, alcoholism, and substance abuse are rising to crisis proportions in American Indian and Alaska Native communities | Asian | Lack of access to regular care. Asians are least likely to report having a personal doctor compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the US. 19.4 % of Asian adults compared to 12.9% of whites report being without a usual source of health care. Cambodians and Vietnamese are three times more likely to forgo visiting a doctordue to cost compared to all Asians or US residents.• Less satisfaction with care. Compared to other racial and ethnic groups, Asians are least likely to be satisfied with the speed of their care, doctor-patient communication, and office staff.• Fewer preventive services. Asians are less likely to have blood pressure monitoring and pap smears. In fact,cervical cancer screening...
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...look at how and why researchers may link medical information with other non-medical information, for example, where people live, their income and their education. An understanding of how these factors affect an individual’s health can help us to look beyond the healthcare system for ways to improve the health of New Zealanders. These factors are called the social determinants of health. This essay will take a closer look at some of these social determinants and how they can influence people’s health and well-being. It will also discuss research articles that provide examples of influences of social determinants of health relating to adults. Paragraph 2: SDH approach. Your discussion...
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...struggles and barriers that they face in the healthcare system. Working with other nurses has exposed me to the sad reality that the majority of them lack cultural competency, sensitivity and understanding for this particular vulnerable group. In my experience, most of my co- workers view Hispanic clients as a burden to the system rather than as a person that needs support, understanding and guidance to overcome the health disparities and barriers they face in our healthcare system. During this project, I interviewed and shared with two of my co-workers a brochure I developed, designed to increase awareness about the vulnerability of Hispanics, based on their culture and illness. Concepts were covered about the importance of health literacy, culture and its influence on patient’s disease management, barriers that they face, and techniques that ultimately motivate clients to make a lifestyle change. The risk for Hispanics in the United States to develop type 2 diabetes is twice that of non-Hispanics whites (CDC, 2005). In an attempt to reduce health care disparities within the United States, the Department of...
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...Health Promotion in American Indians/Alaska Natives Mona Reed Grand Canyon University: NRS-429V August 02, 2015 Health Promotion in American Indians/Alaska Natives American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are people who maintain a tribal or community attachment and are descendants from any of the original inhabitants of North, South and Central America. The U.S. Census Bureau, in 2013, reported that there are greater than 5.2 million AI/AN in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 11.2 million by 2060 (CDC, 2015a). AI/ANs have experienced a lower health status when compared to the national average of the non-Hispanic white population. The Indian Health Service (IHS), who provides health care services to those who reside on reservations, reports that this is due to inadequate education, discrimination in delivery of health services, disproportionate poverty and cultural differences. Also noted is that less than half of “AI/ANs permanently reside on a reservation and therefore have limited or no access to IHS services” (Indian Health Service, 2015a). In addition, the CDC reported in 2013 that 26.9% of AI/ANs lacked health insurance coverage. This writer will compare and contrast the health status of the AI/AN population with the non-Hispanic White population. Health disparities in the AI/AN population are well documented in research. The Office of Minority Health (OMH) Health Disparities Overview notes that this population suffers from low education...
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...Racial Disparity in U.S. Diagnoses of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 2000 –2009 Qian An, MS, Joseph Prejean, PhD, H. Irene Hall, PhD This activity is available for CME credit. See page A3 for information. Background: Increased attention has been focused on health disparities among racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Purpose: To assess the extent of progress toward meeting the targets of Healthy People 2010 objectives and eliminating disparities. Methods: All diagnoses of AIDS during 2000 –2009 among people aged Ն13 years in the 50 states and District of Columbia, reported to national HIV surveillance through June 2010, together with census population data were used in this analysis (conducted in March 2011). This study assesses the trend in racial/ethnic disparities in rates of AIDS diagnoses both between particular groups using rate difference (RD) and rate ratio (RR) and across the entire range of racial/ethnic subgroups using three summary measures of disparity: between-group variance (BGV); Theil index (TI); and mean log deviation (MLD). Results: The overall racial/ethnic disparity, black–white disparity, and Hispanic–white disparity in rates of AIDS diagnoses decreased for those aged 25– 64 years from 2000 to 2009. The black–white and Hispanic–white disparity in rates of AIDS diagnoses also decreased among men aged Ն65 years; however, the black–white disparity increased among young men aged 13–24 years (BGV: pϽ0.001, black–white RD: pϽ0.01) from...
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...Alise E. Jenkins May 24th, 2015 HCA-515 Health Care Models Analysis Hypothetical Case (basic details only): The patient is 72 year old female who smokes. She complains of extreme fluid retention in lower two limbs and lower abdomen. Breathing is difficult and she is only able to sleep while sitting erect in a reclining chair. Patient has underlying conditions: Obesity, Coronary Artery disease, Edema, Hypertensions, Dyslipidemia, Ischemia, and hx of quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. Current dx: Heart Failure Medical Model: A number of tests would be performed to analyze the extent of damage of the heart. An electrocardiogram would be one of the first tests performed to check the electrical activity of the heart and detect any type of ischemia (AHA, 2015). The tests would include X-Rays CT, and MRI scans. Also “Angiography that would allow imaging of the blood vessels” (AHA, 2015). Essentially it is creating a map of the heart. Ultrasound evaluations, echocardiograms, would also help define the amount of damage to the heart. Treatments for heart failure can vary due to underlying causes. However in most cases drugs are used to aid the symptoms. These drugs can include “beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and also a diuretic to help rid the body of excess fluid buildup” (CDC, 2015). Mechanical devices can be implemented into the heart too. These devices include pacemakers and defibrillators. These two mechanisms help improve...
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...According to Healthy People 2020, health disparity is a difference in health that is associated with disadvantages in social, economic, and/or environmental settings. Health disparities can negatively affect groups of people who consistently experience greater disadvantages to health based on various factors. Certain factors that can contribute to health disparities may include race or ethnicity; socioeconomic status; cognitive or physical disabilities; age; gender of the individual/s; and/or mental health. A group of individuals geographic location or community can also play a role in health disparity ( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). One of the diseases that has demonstrated significant health disparities over the last few decades is Diabetes. Minority groups which include, African Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Latino Americans, constitute 25 percent of all adult patients with diabetes in the United States and represent the majority of children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). An individual of the Native American population is 2 to 5 times more likely to have developed Diabetes, while Latino Americans are twice as likely to have Diabetes in comparison to a Caucasian client. It is important for the health care system to make appropriate changes to decrease the incidence of Diabetes in today’s society, particularly with groups of the community who have the greatest potential...
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...Health Care Economics and the Uninsured School of Nursing Health Care Economics and the Uninsured The United States health care system is a large and complex structure organized to deliver health care services to the country’s residents (Maurer, 2013). The system is not systematically organized, but is the result of the interrelationships between numerous influences such as culture, consumers, epidemiology, health professionals, governmental policy, technology, and economics (Maurer, 2013). Due to the various, and, often conflicting, interests on the U.S. health care system, large disparities exist in the delivery of health care to consumers. In fact, according to Maurer (2013), “the consumer is the most vulnerable component and is the most likely to be hurt by ineffective functioning of the system” (p. 63). Because of the ineffectiveness of the current system for so many Americans and the disparities that exist among consumers, the American Nurses Association [ANA] (2008) described the current U.S. health care system as “in a state of crisis” (Executive Summary, para. 1). For many Americans, the major obstacle preventing them from receiving quality and reliable health care is a lack of health insurance (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2012; Maurer, 2013; Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured [KCM&U], 2012). More specifically, the way our health care system is financed, a piecemeal approach of...
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