Please see attached
Discussion Tri
WHAT : REPLY to the TWO Discussion Posts
FORMAT : APA with In-text Citation and Reference List
REFERENCES : TWO Peer-Reviewed references minimum within last 5 years
INCLUDE : Turnitin Report
* Please and THANK YOU *
_______________________
#1- KirMo
Vulnerability can happen in any population living in urban or rural settings, and it is often
compounded by race, class, and gender (Wanyo, 2025). One vulnerable population of interest
would be Native Americans. With the assistance of government, there have been many
breakthroughs for Native Americans and people with poverty issues. One crucial act that was
initiated was the Affordable Care Act, a cornerstone of our healthcare system, which was
started by Obama. This Act allowed for increased coverage with the intention to constrain
healthcare costs and improve quality. It was part of a Medicaid expansion plan in which all
applicants are accepted regardless of preexisting conditions. The Children’s Health Insurance
Program (CHIP) was also important to vulnerable populations. This program is provided to
children and pregnant women who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but don’t make
enough to pay for personal coverage. A benefit of this plan is applications to Medicaid
coverage will show if they qualify for the CHIP program.
If people are interested in improving patient/personal outcomes there are multiple steps they
can take. One important step is to focus on preventative care. This would include keeping
immunizations updated, yearly checkups, and diet counseling. Providers can assist patients to
help improve health outcomes as well, with good patient communication being a key factor.
This communication can build trust and encourages engagement in care, making patients feel
valued and integral to the healthcare process. Supporting evidence-based care in practice can
also ensure high quality care.
Two state policy intervention to reduce health disparities are the Ambassador Program and
Gateway to Health Initiative. The Ambassador Program is a significant initiative that trains and
empowers students to serve as public health leaders, addressing health disparities and
positive behavior change through peer influence (2025). This program plays a crucial role in
promoting public health by educating and empowering young leaders to address health
disparities in their communities. The Gateway to Health Initiative is another important program
dedicated to connecting North Dakotans with a wide range of resources and opportunities to
enhance their overall well-being (2025). This initiative is designed to improve the health and
well-being of North Dakotans by providing access to a variety of health resources and
opportunities.
After interacting with the game provided in class, it just reminded me of how difficult it is to live
without working and struggling to provide for a family. I personally live paycheck to paycheck
and understand that there are choices that have to be made based on immediate need. I have
had to go without food and other essential items so I can provide for my family. It is difficult to
live in this world.
#2- BaHa
It’s one thing to read about social determinants of health, but it feels real when you must make
the decisions, even in a simulation. You’re constantly choosing between rent, food, and
medical care. It made me realize how quickly health takes a backseat when basic needs aren’t
met. Many other factors, such as children, can further complicate even the most essential
needs.
This week, I’m focusing on people experiencing homelessness. They face numerous barriers
when it comes to healthcare. The Affordable Care Act has helped by expanding Medicaid and
making insurance more accessible, but many people still fall through the cracks. Getting
covered or keeping appointments can be tough without a steady address or phone number.
Mobile clinics and shelter-based care are helpful, but these programs are often underfunded or
inconsistent (Henwood et al., 2023).
To improve outcomes, we need programs that connect healthcare and housing. Housing First
is a strong model that provides people with a place to live first and supports them with
healthcare and other essential services. It’s been proven to improve housing stability and
reduce emergency visits and hospital stays (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2023). On
a policy level, expanding Medicaid in all states and increasing funding for supportive housing
would significantly address these gaps.
Spent was a reminder that most health decisions aren’t about willpower or knowledge. They’re
about what someone can afford to do in the moment. The system needs to make it easier for
people to meet their basic needs before we can expect better health outcomes.
