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Essay On Health Disparities

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A health disparity or health disparities may be defined as the differences in health problems and their causes among different segments of a population or community (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). There are several factors that may be associated with health disparities, including: historical, physical, social, and environmental. Historical factors that may be associated with health disparities may include: laws or legislations that inhibit particular health care services or access, and/or stereotypes or bias against specific portions of the populations. Laws or legislations that may interfere with health care services or access that offer preventive care or routine health care may influence negative health consequences or outcomes. Bias or stereotypes may influence health disparities that result from conflict or violence. Bias or stereotypes may be a result of historical beliefs, opinions, or assumptions; and may be difficult to eliminate. Physical barriers to access to health care may include difficulties associated with health care locations or facilities, physical health conditions among those affected by the health disparities, and physical barriers identified in the location of those affected by the health disparities. Personal and public opinions of those affected by the health disparity or social methods or networks used by those in the community may be considered associated social factors. Environmental factors may include …show more content…

Collection of this information may allow a public health professional to develop a strategy that promotes equity; by identifying the health problems among populations or community members affected by health

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