What Exactly Is Health Equity?
What Exactly Is Health Equity?
Achieving health equity is providing everyone with equitable access to medical treatment, regardless of their social standing or life circumstances. Differences in life expectancy, disease and disability risk, and access to care and treatment can all be used to gauge health equity. Inequities in healthcare are a significant problem that call for systematic and cooperative remedies. With the aim of eradicating health disparities, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) tackles the problem.
The IRS has designated the American business HealthEquity as a non-bank health savings trustee. Thus, regardless of the financial institution that sponsors health savings accounts, it may act as their custodian. Stephen Neeleman founded the business in 2002 with the goal of mending the strained relationship between patients and doctors and assisting more Americans in obtaining high-quality health insurance. Jon Kessler, the company's president and CEO, joined it in 2009.
Equal access to a healthy life is what the CDC means by health equity. Equal access to medical specialists, wholesome food, and secure housing are all part of it. This entails upholding the highest standards for everyone's health and paying particular attention to those who are most at risk for illness.
Although equitable access to healthcare services is necessary for health equity, this does not imply that everyone should obtain them. It's critical to understand that not everyone will be able to seize these chances. For instance, a clinic might provide free health screenings each morning, but this does not make them available to people who are employed during the day. In these situations, health equity would call for the clinic to provide additional service hours. Mobile health examinations and seminars on health topics for certain groups are more examples.
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What Influence Social Factors on Health?
The elements that affect a person's health are social determinants of health. Race, gender, financial level, and physical activity are a few variables. According to research, low SES has been linked to shorter lifespans, increased smoking rates, and less physical activity. However, there isn't always a direct link between these variables and health consequences. When figuring out social factors, neighborhood quality must be taken into account.
These elements can impact a person's physical and mental health and quality of life. Children whose parents do not have a high school education, for instance, are more likely to live in unsafe areas, suffer from poor health, and have higher stress levels. Addressing these issues is essential for enhancing public health and minimizing health inequities since they may also affect children and adolescents.
According to research, some socioeconomic characteristics, including money and education, are more likely than others to impact health outcomes. While some of these elements are interconnected, others have roots in more general socioeconomic issues. For instance, one in ten Americans does not have health insurance. People without insurance could not have the main healthcare provider, be unable to pay for medical expenses, or live too distant from medical facilities. In addition, compared to their white counterparts, Black Americans are more likely to live without health insurance.
Researchers can utilize community-level indicators like the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES) or the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to help identify the variables impacting people's health to discover which social determinants of health are the most common. This study is a vital resource for enhancing medical treatment. Data can be gathered via surveys that assess the health condition of persons and communities in addition to population-level measures.
Communities need to evaluate their resources and difficulties. They will then be able to make adjustments to lessen or completely eradicate the socioeconomic determinants of health issues. Community relationships are more likely to be effective if these issues are addressed. Additionally, community engagement has advantages that go beyond health. For instance, reducing poverty and income inequality is crucial to enhancing a community's general health and wellness. But it's crucial to remember that these social characteristics are connected and frequently at odds with one another.
The study also emphasized how poverty affects people's health. One in ten Americans is affected by poverty and a lack of access to healthcare. This implies that poor people frequently lack the resources to pay for decent housing, wholesome food, or medical treatment. Although those with a steady job are more likely to be in good health, they might not be able to buy nutritious meals. Additionally, those who are disabled could experience restrictions that reduce their ability to work.
ACP is in favor of more studies being done on the socioeconomic determinants of health. It advises that government officials consider socioeconomic and other aspects in addition to environmental, occupational, and dietary social determinants of health. More community-based participatory investigations are encouraged by the study. The American College of Physicians supports public policy interventions dealing with socioeconomic determinants of health. Additionally, they back laws that deal with the health and social disparities that have a detrimental effect on people's lives.
Policymakers are increasingly including social determinants of health in public policy in addition to medical studies. These socioeconomic factors have been identified, and the Centers have made initiatives for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and the Center for Medicaid Delivery System and Payment Reform. In addition, providers and managed care plans are taking part in initiatives to address socioeconomic determinants of health. What can policymakers therefore do? First, they can assist in influencing non-health industries to advance health.
For instance, the American College of Physicians advises public health organizations to increase interdisciplinary communication and collaboration strategies to finance the socioeconomic determinants of health. The reduction of health inequalities can largely be achieved by funding social services and initiatives. Collaboration with other groups is essential for minimizing duplication and maximizing effect. To secure the greatest results for people, however, addressing socioeconomic determinants of health is a challenging task that must be done thoughtfully.
There are racial differences in numerous social factors that influence health. For example, black women are four to five times more likely than white women to die after delivery, contributing to these discrepancies. Additionally, racial differences in COVID-19 fatalities are shown by the CDC data. In the end, addressing socioeconomic determinants of health and advancing health in underprivileged areas require a holistic strategy.
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Dr. Jennifer Bracey is a well-known clinician-educator and well-liked in her field. Even though she has worked in teaching and direct patient care, she finds the most fulfillment in activities behind the scenes, such as developing health policies that could lead to a better and more equitable healthcare system for all individuals. Her first degree after high school was a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the College of Charleston, which she received in 2002. She then applied and was granted admission to study medicine at the prestigious Medical University of South Carolina, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 2006. Dr. Bracey began her training in internal medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine's J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2006. Because of its relationship with Grady Memorial Hospital, this program offered by Emory University was Bracey's top choice. Grady is renowned for providing a significantly high level of care to those who would otherwise be unable to receive it, including the low-income, uninsured, and otherwise vulnerable populations of the more excellent Atlanta metro area. Grady is one of the largest safety-net hospitals in the country, and it holds the distinction of being one of the largest hospitals in the nation. Grady was the very first hospital within one hundred miles of the city to be evaluated and ranked as a Level 1 trauma center. Dr. Jennifer decided to prioritize assisting the numerous Georgians who require first-rate medical care but who might not otherwise be able to afford it or have access to it by selecting Emory University as her residency match. This was done to provide care and inform better policies.
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