Healthcare Inequalities Exist and Require Urgent Attention

Posted: May 5th, 2020

Based on viewing the Johnson & Johnson video, what are your thoughts about health care inequalities and the need for continuing reform? (Share at least 2 points of view.)

Submission Instructions:

Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response.)
All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible

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Point of View 1: Healthcare Inequalities Exist and Require Urgent Attention

One perspective is that healthcare inequalities are prevalent in many countries and pose significant challenges to public health. These inequalities manifest in various ways, including disparities in access to care, quality of care, and health outcomes based on factors such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and geographic location.

Access to Care: Socioeconomic disparities can limit individuals’ access to healthcare services. People with lower income levels often face barriers such as lack of health insurance coverage, limited transportation options, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure in their communities. This results in delayed or forgone medical care, leading to adverse health outcomes. Research by Hadley et al. (2008) found that uninsured individuals in the United States were less likely to receive needed medical care and more likely to experience complications when they did seek care.

Health Outcomes: Health disparities are well-documented across various populations. For example, racial and ethnic minorities often experience higher rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these disparities can be attributed to factors like limited access to quality healthcare, higher exposure to environmental risks, and social determinants of health, including poverty and discrimination.

Point of View 2: Continuing Reform is Necessary to Address Healthcare Inequalities

Another perspective emphasizes the need for ongoing healthcare reform to tackle these inequalities and improve overall population health.

Policy Interventions: Governments play a crucial role in implementing policies and reforms aimed at reducing healthcare inequalities. For instance, expanding health insurance coverage, such as through the Affordable Care Act in the United States, can improve access to care for previously uninsured individuals. Policies that focus on increasing funding for underserved areas, diversifying the healthcare workforce, and addressing social determinants of health can also help bridge gaps in healthcare access and outcomes (LaVeist & Pierre, 2020).

Health Equity Approach: A shift towards a health equity approach is essential to address healthcare inequalities comprehensively. This approach acknowledges that achieving equal access and outcomes requires targeted interventions that account for the specific needs and challenges faced by disadvantaged populations. It involves addressing social determinants of health, improving cultural competency in healthcare delivery, and actively engaging communities in decision-making processes (Braveman et al., 2017). By adopting a health equity framework, healthcare systems can work towards fair and just distribution of healthcare resources and opportunities.

In conclusion, healthcare inequalities remain a pressing issue globally, with disparities in access to care and health outcomes affecting disadvantaged populations. Addressing these inequalities requires ongoing reforms that focus on improving access to care, reducing barriers based on socioeconomic and demographic factors, and adopting a health equity approach. By implementing evidence-based policies and interventions, healthcare systems can strive towards a more equitable and inclusive healthcare landscape.

References:

Braveman, P., Arkin, E., Orleans, T., Proctor, D., & Plough, A. (2017). What is health equity? And what difference does a definition make? Princeton University, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2017/05/what-is-health-equity-.html

Hadley, J., Cunningham, P., & Kenney, G. M. (2008). Uninsurance and changes in health insurance coverage among employed adults: Findings from