The health of African Americans Living in Connecticut

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FX Polytechnic College *

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Nursing

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Enhancing the Health of African Americans Living in Connecticut Student’s Name Institutional Affiliations Course Title Instructor’s Name Due Date

2 Enhancing the Health of African Americans Living in Connecticut African Americans living in Connecticut, who make up to 12% of the state’s population, have a long and important history in the state. The community is diverse, with immigrants from almost all parts of the globe blending well with native-born citizens who trace their ancestry back to colonial times. As such, they bring a unique set of cultural values that contribute to the richness of life within Connecticut's communities. As a result of institutional racism over the years, the community has historically had significant health inequalities compared to their White counterparts, which has left many members of this minority group without equitable access to healthcare services. For instance, according to Clements et al. (2020), research shows that there is an increased prevalence rate for chronic diseases like diabetes among African Americans living in the state compared with their White counterparts. Additionally, infant mortality rates in the community are much higher than those seen among White infants (Owens et al., 2019). Increased infant mortality rates in the community can largely be attributed to poverty-related factors such as lack of access to quality medical care. The structural and socioeconomic issues that significantly impede society’s overall well-being must undoubtedly be addressed to improve African Americans' health in Connecticut. Lack of Access to Quality Health Care as a Major Health Determinant Impacting African Americans in Connecticut Access to quality health care is a significant determinant of health, and its lack has been a substantial problem among African Americans in Connecticut. According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 12% of Connecticut’s population is African American. However, this demographic group accounts for nearly 25% of all uninsured individuals in the state. The repercussions are severe as without proper access to healthcare; many avoidable chronic illnesses

3 may go untreated until it is too late, leading to worse outcomes that may have been averted with early identification through routine check-ups. Additionally, those without insurance may put off getting treatment because of financial concerns, which worsens their condition and puts them in an even more precarious position when they do finally get treatment, when their illness has advanced significantly beyond what would have been considered manageable, had they sought earlier intervention from qualified medical professionals. Diabetes as a Major Public Health Issue Impacting African Americans in Connecticut Diabetes has become a significant public health issue among African Americans in Connecticut. Its prevalence in the community can be attributed to a lack of access to quality healthcare as an essential social determinant of health for this population. African American communities often face more significant barriers when accessing necessary healthcare and preventive services such as diabetes screenings and management programs. These disparities can be attributed mainly to implicit bias and structural racism. According to Yearby et al. (2022), structural racism operates through laws and discriminatory policies that only allocate resources in ways that disempower and devalue some community members. On the other hand, organized implicit bias is when people form judgments about others based on their group membership. It leads to unequal access to healthcare and ultimately worsens health disparities. Besides, it often leads to differential treatment of patients based on their race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics, resulting in suboptimal care and poorer health outcomes for those who are more likely to be stereotyped. To address this public health crisis among African American populations living in Connecticut, it will require concerted efforts from both governmental agencies at all levels along with private sector organizations working together on initiatives focused on improving access by

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4 providing affordable coverage options through Medicaid expansion plans while also increasing awareness about existing resources available such as free clinics located throughout the state that offers primary medical assistance regardless income level status. Only through collective action can there be noticeable progress toward reducing disparities related to diabetes amongst minority populations living in Connecticut. Investing In Health Education Programs Understanding the various social determinants of health in Connecticut increases the chances of developing targeted solutions that can improve the health of all Connecticut residents. Currently, African Americans in the state are disproportionately burdened by increased deaths due to diabetes compared to their white counterparts. Currently, there are minimal health education programs among African Americans living in Connecticut, which has significantly contributed to the increased rates of diabetes in the community. As such, education health programs are one of the most effective ways to reduce health disparities and improve access to healthcare. By investing in these programs, community health workers can provide people with the knowledge and resources they need to live healthy lives. Besides, the programs help bridge this gap by providing access to information and resources that people would not otherwise have. These programs equip participants with the skills to make healthy choices and lead healthier lives. They also provide a support network offering guidance and assistance when needed.

5 Ecological Model to Identify Remedy for Diabetes Diabetes is a complex disease that leads to serious long-term health problems. Over the years, African Americans living in Connecticut have been disproportionately burdened by increased deaths due to diabetes in comparison to their white counterparts. The social and economic determinants of health have influenced the diabetes case rate among African Americans in Connecticut. The growing number of poor households, inadequate access to healthcare, high levels of stress and a lack of employment are all factors that have significantly contributed to this problem. The social determinants of health are interrelated factors that create or drive social inequities. These seemingly unimportant aspects of society can affect health outcomes and access to services, often directly affecting minorities. The consequences of these disparities are shown through higher diabetes rates among African Americans living in Connecticut (Taylor, 2019). Understanding the ecological model can efficiently identify remedies for diabetes in African-Americans living in Connecticut. The ecological approach focuses on how various health and disease problems are intertwined with each other, family and the environment (Sallis et al., 2015). It thus highlights people’s interactions with their physical and sociocultural environments and how they contribute to increased diabetes rates among African Americans living in Connecticut. How The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Can Alleviate Determinant of Health Issues among African American in Connecticut The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a national healthcare policy implemented in the United States to help increase health insurance coverage for the uninsured. The ACA was enacted in 2010 to provide more Americans access to quality health care and insurance coverage

6 at affordable prices (Quadagno & Lanford, 2019). It does this by expanding Medicaid eligibility for low-income individuals and families, providing tax credits to help offset health insurance premiums for those who qualify based on their income levels, prohibiting insurers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions, or charging higher rates based on gender or occupation status. Additionally, most employers must provide healthcare benefits if they employ 50 or full- time employees. Besides, it establishes state health exchanges where individuals can purchase private plans at competitive prices. The ACA has positively impacted public health by increasing access to medical services and preventive care among all populations regardless of race, background, or socioeconomic status. It helps reduce disparities across communities regarding adequate healthcare services. This is especially beneficial since many lower-income households may not be able to afford basic medical needs without assistance from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which are now available through the ACA. Furthermore, more successes have been associated with its implementation, such as increased insured adults over time. Discuss The Role A CHW Would Play In Addressing Determinants of Health, Multicultural Or Diverse Populations, and Health Equity in The Community Community health workers are often the first line of defense when preventing and managing diseases in a given community. Community health workers are on the front lines, working tirelessly to educate and connect with their communities. In many cases, they are the only healthcare professionals that some people will ever meet. Community health workers are part of the community they serve and are responsible for promoting health and general well- being. While the role of community health workers has changed over time, one thing has remained constant: their dedication to improving the health and well-being of their communities.

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7 In Connecticut, Community Health Workers (CHWs) currently fill several different roles within the state’s healthcare system. They may provide direct patient care and outreach services, connect patients to resources and community programs, or serve as “Navigators” to help individuals enroll in health insurance plans. CHWs may also participate in program evaluation, quality improvement initiatives, or in advocacy efforts to improve public health policy. They work with individuals and families to help them navigate the social determinants of health, which are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. The issues that community health workers deal with in Connecticut are not unique to the state but are shared in almost all states in the United States and across the globe. When it comes to improving overall healthcare outcomes for African Americans living in Connecticut, CHWs have invaluable knowledge about local customs, which allows them to build trust with members from this population group so that patients feel comfortable sharing information about their lifestyle habits which could lead to potential risks down the line if left untreated. CHWs can foster strong relationships between providers and patients while promoting healthy behaviors through education initiatives by considering different cultures' values around medical treatments. Ultimately these efforts will result in improved quality care across all backgrounds leading healthier lives within our society. Skills And Traits A CHW Would Need to Be a Successful Change Agent Community health workers (CHWs) play an essential role in improving the health of individuals and communities. As change agents, they can identify challenges within a community and take action to address them. To be successful, CHWs must possess specific skills and traits that will enable them to lead change initiatives effectively. First, effective communication is essential for CHWs who want to be successful change agents in their communities. They need

8 excellent listening skills to understand the needs of the communities they serve and writing abilities so they can clearly articulate those needs when communicating with stakeholders or advocating for policy changes. Additionally, interpersonal communication is key to help in building relationships with people. Further, for Community Health Workers (CHWs) to deliver efficient and appropriate healthcare to various populations, they must be culturally competent. Lack of cultural competency can result in misunderstandings, poor communication, and distrust, all of which can affect the standard of treatment and the general state of patients' health. Culturally competent CHWs can interact and work well with people from various backgrounds because they have a thorough awareness of and respect for the cultures they deal with. Conclusion For the disparities to be addressed, it will require concerted efforts on behalf of public health professionals working with local stakeholders at policy levels and grassroots organizations so that meaningful solutions can be implemented that target some underlying causes behind these issues. This could include initiatives designed around increasing awareness about preventative measures, providing better access points to primary care services, and more significant investment into education programs so people can become empowered when making decisions about their health. Ultimately reducing the disparities existing in the community stand a chance of creating a healthier environment where everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, has an equal opportunity to succeed and reach the fullest potential possible.

9 References Clements, J. M., West, B. T., Yaker, Z., Lauinger, B., McCullers, D., Haubert, J., ... & Everett, G. J. (2020). Disparities in diabetes-related multiple chronic conditions and mortality: The influence of race. Diabetes research and clinical practice , 159 , 107984. Owens, D. C., & Fett, S. M. (2019). Black maternal and infant health: historical legacies of slavery. American Journal of Public Health , 109 (10), 1342-1345. Quadagno, J., & Lanford, D. (2019). The Obama health care legacy: The origins, implementation, and effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act of 2010. In Looking Back on President Barack Obama’s Legacy (pp. 69-92). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. Sallis, J. F., Owen, N., & Fisher, E. (2015). Ecological models of health behaviour. Health behavior: Theory, research, and practice, 5(43-64). Taylor, J. (2019). Racism, inequality, and health care for African Americans. Yearby, R., Clark, B., & Figueroa, J. F. (2022). Structural Racism In Historical And Modern US Health Care Policy: The study examines structural racism in historical and modern US health care policy. Health Affairs , 41 (2), 187–194.

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