Reply Post
Your reply post should read 500 to 600 words and should reference at least one citation from the article the other student read for their initial post. To receive the maximum points, your post should include references from all of this week’s readings and an article other students read.
Prompt
Analyze another student’s initial post. Examine their application of an article to this week’s discussion topic and compare it to your own application.
Parameters
· Analyze one student’s initial post. What are one or two major questions you have after reading their post?
· Reread the section of the readings they reference, as well as the article they cited; then use these sources to address your question(s)
· Your reply post should follow APA guidelines
Peer: Samuel
Health inequities refer to differences in health status or the distribution of health resources between different population groups arising from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. Healthcare access refers to individuals’ ability to obtain necessary medical services. A systemic problem is one that is deeply embedded in the policies, practices, and structures of a system, making it pervasive and persistent across the entire system. Benuto and O’Donohue (2016) hinted that this problematic system of health has contributed to a social ailment they named acculturation stress on the Latinos and other ethnic minority groups who are mostly affected by healthcare systemic problems. (Benuto and O’Donohue, P. 6, 2016)
Barnett et al. 2017 also explore the social determinants that influence healthcare accessibility. These are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. They include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to healthcare. Riley (2012) emphasized that social determinants have influenced healthcare accessibility and contributed to healthcare inequalities. For example, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have limited access to quality education, which can lead to lower-paying jobs and restricted access to healthcare services. This creates a cycle of poor health outcomes. According to Riley (2012), the role of healthcare policies and practices such as insurance coverage, healthcare funding, and resource allocation can either mitigate or exacerbate health inequities. For instance, a lack of universal healthcare coverage can leave marginalized groups without access to necessary medical services. Nielsen et al. (2017) considered the impact of geographic location on healthcare accessibility. They also highlighted that rural and underserved urban areas often have fewer healthcare facilities and providers, leading to reduced access to care for residents in these areas. Their research proved that this geographic disparity is indeed a systemic issue that affects health outcomes.
Satcher (2001) evaluated the influence of discrimination and bias on healthcare and argued that systemic racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination can lead to unequal treatment within the healthcare system. This can result in poorer health outcomes for marginalized groups. Heather Kugelmass (2016) also assessed the role of economic barriers. She emphasized that high costs of healthcare services, medications, and insurance premiums can prevent individuals from seeking necessary care. Financial barriers can hinder Black Americans, the poor, and lower-class individuals from obtaining quality healthcare. Economic barriers are a systemic issue that disproportionately affects low-income, inadequate, and minority ethnic populations. Benuto and O’Donohue (2016) emphasize the importance of addressing health inequalities. They recommended integrating quality improvement tools into integrated care. They recommended improvement in areas such as policy changes to ensure universal healthcare coverage, increased funding for healthcare services in underserved areas, and initiatives to address social determinants of health.
In conclusion, health inequities related to healthcare access are a systemic problem because they are deeply rooted in society’s social, economic, and political structures. Addressing these inequities requires comprehensive and coordinated efforts to change policies, practices, and social determinants of health.
References
Barnett, M. L., Gonzalez, A., Miranda, J., Chavira, D. A., & Lau, A. S. (2018). Mobilizing Community Health Workers to Address Mental Health Disparities for Underserved Populations: A Systematic Review.
Administration and policy in mental health,
45(2), 195–211.
Links to an external site.
Benuto, L. T., & O’Donohue, W. (2016). Integrated care: A potential solution to behavioral health disparities among Latinos. In
Enhancing behavioral health in Latino populations (pp. 1-9). Springer, Cham.
Kugelmass H. (2016). “Sorry, I’m Not Accepting New Patients”: An Audit Study of Access to Mental Health Care.
Journal of health and social behavior,
57(2), 168–183.
Nielsen, M., D’Agostino, D., & Gregory, P. (2017). Addressing Rural Health Challenges Head On.
Missouri Medicine,
114(5), 363–366.
Riley W. J. (2012). Health disparities: gaps in access, quality and affordability of medical care.
Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association,
123, 167–174.
Satcher, D. (2001). “Chapter 1: Introduction” in Mental health: Culture, race, and ethnicity—A supplement to mental health: A report of the surgeon general.
Links to an external site.
