Health Equity - 9260 Words

Nursing in 3D: Diversity, Disparities, and Social Determinants The Social Determinants of Health: It’s Time to Consider the Causes of the Causes Paula Braveman, MD, MPHa Laura Gottlieb, MD, MPHb ABSTRACT During the past two decades, the public health community’s attention has been drawn increasingly to the social determinants of health (SDH)—the factors apart from medical care that can be influenced by social policies and shape health in powerful ways. We use â€Å"medical care† rather than â€Å"health care† to refer to clinical services, to avoid potential confusion between â€Å"health† and â€Å"health care.† The World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health has defined SDH as â€Å"the conditions in which people†¦show more content†¦McKeown attributed the dramatic increases in life expectancy since the 19th century primarily to improved living conditions, including nutrition, sanitation, and clean water.23 While advances in medical care also may have contributed,23–26 most authors believe that nonmedical factors, including conditions within the purview of traditional public health, we re probably more important;24 public health nursing, including its role in advocacy, may have played an important role in improved living standards.27 Another example of the limits of medical care is the widening of mortality disparities between social classes in the United Kingdom in the decades following the creation of the National Health Service in 1948, which made medical care universally accessible.28 Using more recent data, Martinson found that although health overall was better in the United Kingdom than in the United States, which lacks universal coverage, disparities in health by income were similar in the two countries.29 Large inequalities in health according to social class have been documented repeatedly across different European countries, again despite more universal access to medical care.30–32 Another often-cited example of the limits of medical care is the fact that, although spending on medical care inShow MoreRelatedGender Equity in Health and Health Care Essay2178 Words   |  9 PagesIt is often challenging to have health care services that meet the needs of Canada’s diverse population and the needs of both men and women. Gender influences access to care and women in particular are at risk for face difficulties to care (Ontario Women`s Health Equity Report, 2010 p.1). Women are more likely to be poor and have greater caregiver responsibilities in contrast to men. These both factors are barriers to accessing health services. The way the health care system is organized createsRead MorePoverty, Equity, Human Rights, And Health1390 Words   |  6 Pagesin their 2003 paper offer a review of the established cycle of poverty, equity, human rights, and health with an overview of the links between them; the history of past global efforts; and five recommendations to t he health sector to focus its resources to gain maximum impact. Their paper stands on the shoulders of well-established research and theory. It is well established that there is a link between poverty and poor health, including decreased morbidity and mortality (Irwin Scali, 2007; WagstaffRead MoreHealth Equity. Health Care Is One Of The Most Pressing1755 Words   |  8 PagesHealth Equity Health care is one of the most pressing issues in the media and on people’s minds in today’s society. There is much disagreement on how to solve the problems within the healthcare system, but everyone agrees that there are problems. The significant numbers of Americans who do not have insurance drove the Obama administration to make health care reform one of its top priorities. The rising costs of health care and abuses of the system have motivated the Trump administration to try andRead MoreThe Importance Of Accessibility And Equity Of Primary Health Services Essay1665 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction With the development of health care system and the enhancing awareness of public health care among the society, the quality of health services is widely discussing in the global. Therefore, an international conference on primary health care is committed which is the Declaration of Alma-Ata on primary health care. It strongly reaffirms the importance of accessibility and equity of primary health services no matter in developed or developing countries (World Health Organization, United NationsRead MoreMental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act1293 Words   |  6 PagesThe Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was enacted on October 3, 2008 as sections 511 and 512 of the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008. MHPAEA amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Federal Register, 2013). The MHPAEA is an extensi on of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, which prohibited annual or aggregateRead MoreHealth Disparities : Transportation Equity And Applied Theories Essay1661 Words   |  7 PagesHealth Disparities: Transportation Equity and Applied Theories Summary of the Problem and Applied Middle-Range Theory All people, regardless of demographics, race, age, or physical limitations, deserve to have access to available resources within their own community. According to the American Public Health Association (APHA), health equity is defined as: all individuals merit the opportunity to achieve optimal health (Health Equity, 2016); furthermore, health disparities are described as the â€Å"differencesRead MoreEssay On Health Equity770 Words   |  4 PagesHealth equity has been initiated since 1987 with the system Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). PRAMS collects state-specific data on maternal attitudes and experience, before, during, and after pregnancy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). PRAMS is used to identify groups of women and infants at high risk for health problems. High-risk health problems include high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, which are unfortunately prevalent in Black women. Data from PRAMSRead MoreThe Mental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act Of 20081410 Words   |  6 Pagespart in mental health care services available to the public. They can determine what options and treatments are available and how much an individual will pay for them. Recent policies including the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, the Affordable Care Act, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act work to expand access to coverage. It is important to know how policies play a role in the health care that individuals receive. The Mental Health Parity and AddictionRead MoreFirst Nations Health And Wellbeing : Government Enacted Health Equity Programming3386 Words   |  14 PagesFirst Nations Health and Wellbeing: Government Enacted Health Equity Programming Health care is a major focus of both the federal and provincial Canadian governments. Policies and programs are created, revised, and implemented in order to improve the overall health and wellbeing of Canadian citizens. Canada’s publically funded health care system offers access to quality health care services and treatment to most citizens. However, extensive research demonstrates that despite government attemptsRead MorePolicy Analysis : Mental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act Of 20081203 Words   |  5 PagesPolicy Analysis: Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 Current health plans are discriminatory in nature, premiums are based on age, sex, medical history, unhealthy habits, current health status, and what diagnoses, treatments, and prescriptions are covered expenses, limiting coverage to services that are medically necessary (Weber, 2013; Smaldone, Cullen-Drill, 2010). Insurers base coverage decisions of like pools, thus â€Å"healthier† people are not required to subsidize the cost