How To Alleviate Disparities

Today, one of the leading problems discussed in politics is healthcare. America constantly struggles with their healthcare system to make it affordable and accessible to communities. In the twentieth century this same problem also existed, creating one of the most well-known African American activist groups in America. In the book Body and Soul by Alondra Nelson, it discusses the social inequalities of the healthcare system in America and how the Black Panther Party fought against medical discrimination for African Americans. Nelson talks about how the Black Panther Party went from the role of protecting black citizens to a larger political role in African American health care. The significance of this book applies to medical sociology in many ways and is essential to the understanding of providing better healthcare to future generations. In the following book review, it includes a summary of each chapter to highlight the main points, some of the very many medical sociology concepts that could be applied, and lastly an evaluation of the book as a whole and its significance to our course.

A team of researchers from The George Washington University in conjunction with key leaders – evaluated the Detroit area to assess the state-of-healthcare deliverance to those in need. The problem was presented in a clear and concise manner: The uninsured and poor had limited to no access to the care they needed. Many resorted to the Emergency Department (40% of admissions were non-emergent), leading to overcrowding in the hospital. Those that are part of the safety net are providers of the poor and vulnerable populations: hospital systems, clinics, volunteers, primary care workers, and prevention workers that are there to prevent the overflow and influx that we see in the assessment. We will be addressing our main stakeholders, the

The privilege memo and the community profile will allow for reflection on my own privilege, which will help in understanding how to communicate with those who cannot obtain the same opportunities as I can. This will build on my skill of sharing my thoughts with diverse audiences, expose me to dissimilar levels of health literacy, and improve my general knowledge of public health. The privilege memo will enable me to alter the way I connect with others so that I can be conscious of how I need to utilize my privilege to bring those who are in the minority to the same level. The community profile will provide a perspective of privilege and systemic oppression in health care. This information will alter the way I approach future interactions as a health care professional.

Racial and ethnic health disparities plays a significant role when it comes to those living in a what is considered a low- economic community because people are more susceptible to poor air quality, high blood pressure related to stress, and violence. Inaccessibility to healthy foods forces people to have to eat unhealthy and struggle with the risk that can lead to obesity or high cholesterol down the road (Noonan, A et al ,2016). Also social racism with having limited income, and education can cause people to act out in a negative way due to being frustrated and can cause one to act out in a violent way which can cause a spike in crime. So much can be done to strengthen low economic communities such as re-opening schools in the neighborhood,

Reducing disparities in health and healthcare have been of importance for many federal, state, private and nonprofit organizations for many years. Countless research studies have been done and continue to be conducted to understand the dynamics of health/healthcare disparities and how other factors play a role in widening the gap in health outcomes, disease burden, and mortality among different populations in the United States. Included in the conversation about disparities seen within populations and subgroups, are the concepts of equality and equity in our healthcare system. “Identification and awareness of the differences among populations regarding health outcomes and health determinants are essential steps towards reducing disparities

Disparities in health and health care in the United States have been a longstanding challenge resulting in some groups receiving less and lower quality health care than others and experiencing poorer health outcomes. Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and low-income individuals are more likely to be uninsured relative to Whites and those with higher incomes. Low-income individuals and people of color also face increased barriers to accessing care, receive poorer quality care, and experience worse health outcomes. The Department of Health and Human Services Disparities Action Plan (HHS) sets out a series of priorities, strategies, actions, and goals to achieve a vision of a nation free of disparities in health and health care.

During my fourth year in college, I enrolled in a course called Psychology of Health Disparities. My decision to enroll in this course stemmed from my experience as a medical assistant, and my duty involved working in clinical settings low socioeconomic status individuals (SES). Even though this class met only once a week, it deeply impacted the way I viewed the public health care system. Health disparities are particularly evident in the United States health care system, mostly because of factors like SES, race, and education as well. Not only did we explore the causes of these disparities, we focused on how individuals with lower incomes were affected. In the private clinic where I worked, most individuals were under health insurance by

Disparities and inequities are impacting families and communities of color in disproportional rates. The child welfare system is no exception. Solutions are as complex as the issue itself but finding new ways to engage with the families we work with can draw out a more comprehensive understanding of the issues and concerns they face.

This paper is a group discussion project that will look at the different viewpoints associated with whether or not America is close to being a post-racial society. In addition, this paper will discuss my opinion on this question which is that I do not think America is close to being a post-racial society because we are still racially divided. Racial economic issues are still an issue along with many other problems that still exist such as job opportunities and incarceration to name a few examples. Furthermore, the United States has come a long way compared to the past, however, we are nowhere near close to being a post-racial society because to many injustices and disparities exist.

With this increased research and effort, Americans would be able to intervene and make positive impacts with the state, tribal, and local levels to best address health disparities and inequalities. In efforts to thwart ethnic and minority disparities, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) passed the HHS Disparities Action Plan in order to establish “a nation free of disparities in health and health care, (Cooper 97)” and to implement a series of priorities, strategies, actions, and goals to achieve this vision. States, local communities, private organizations, and providers have additionally engaged in efforts to reduce health disparities. With the HHS Disparities Action Plan, the Department continuously assess policies and programs on racial and ethnic health disparities, watching to see which policies make an impact on the level of health care received by minorities. Similarly, The Affordable Care Act (ACA) health coverage expansions significantly increase coverage options for low and moderate income populations and particularly benefit the “vulnerable populations.” The ACA also includes provisions to strengthen the safety-net delivery system, improve

As an oncologist at Grady Memorial, an inner-city hospital located in Atlanta, Dr. Brawley witnesses the disastrous effects of healthcare disparity first-hand. Healthcare disparities are vast differences in quality and access to care between socioeconomic classes. "health care disparities refer to differences in health and health care between population groups. Disparities occur across many dimensions, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, location, gender, disability status, and sexual orientation "(KFF, 2016). As Brawley describes to us, Grady is a hospital that demonstrates health disparity at its worst. Brawley describes Grady as " a monument to racism, Racism is built into it, as is poverty, as is despair." (Brawley, 2011).

I have been given many opportunities to help others and make an impact in Johnson City through organizations like the Family Medicine Interest Group at ETSU, serving as the coordinator for student involvement in free clinics. I have also been able to make an impact through medicine in Cleveland, TN by way of the Good Samaritan Clinic. This is a free clinic in downtown Cleveland that I have been volunteering at for the past seven years. I have also been directly involved in the start-up of the Just Care clinic in Mountain City, TN, a medical student ran free clinic in rural Appalachia. I was also been able to spend time in rural Guatemala with a medical team from my undergraduate university helping diagnose, treat, and care for patients whom receive little to no regular healthcare. From my own first hand experiences in both Guatemala and my time spent in the Just Care and Good Samaritan Clinics, I have seen the impact that an inadequate health care system can have on a population. I hope to use my medical and public health training in areas that do not have adequate access to health

The mandatory imprisonment policies written for the judicial system are creating disparity of minority inmate population primarily due to non-violent drug crimes and the unjust mandatory minimum sentencing laws.

My work is done at the community level, specifically with community empowerment and engagement. I have the great opportunity to work with diverse groups of people of a variety of topics. One of the main areas of focus I have spent my time in is healthcare and health services for communities of color. I decided that I wanted to look specifically how the communities I served were impacted by various health inequities. I could do research on the health inequities around education, obesity, maternal health, child health and food scarcity.

Although this is a major contributing factor to healthcare disparities, it may also be the most easily correctable! In many cases, something as simple as educating the providers about the healthcare needs of their underserved patients and eliminating misguided and unfounded stereotypes and preconceptions can dramatically reduce the disparities arising from this factor. In this respect, I feel fortunate in the sense that I have had the opportunity to attend a medical school that realizes the importance of this issue and has taken every possible opportunity to educate and train myself and my fellow colleagues about the implications of these disparities in healthcare. As such, I feel confident that, thanks to my knowledge and awareness of the problem, I can prevent this factor from causing disparities in care within my own practice.