Essay on Barriers and Disparities in Health Care - 893 Words

Barriers and Disparities in Health Care NUR/550 June 8, 2012 Cynthia Holsen R.N. – C.W.H.N.P. Barriers and Disparities in Health Care Everyone should have the opportunity to achieve a healthy life and have comprehensive health care services available to them. To achieve this healthy life, people need to have access to the health care system and to a health care provider with whom they can develop a trusting relationship. However, existing barriers to attaining health care services often lead to disparities which in turn lead to differences in life expectancy, health status and a higher prevalence of certain chronic diseases (HealthyPeople.gov, 2012). Barriers Barriers to health care can be defined as conditions that can†¦show more content†¦With the increasing immigrant population a third barrier affecting access to health care is a cultural barrier. Culture barriers can include values and beliefs, language and race and ethnicity. Health beliefs and behavior can become a barrier when patients decide not to seek medical treatment and instead turn to home remedies and healers when treating illnesses. Approximately 10% of Americans speak a language other than English and can be classified ad being limited in their proficiency. For these patients language becomes a barrier and they are less likely to receive optimal medical treatment (Flores, 2006). Horton and Johnson (2010) stress the importance of communication in reducing disparities and increasing the trust of patients in the health care system. As reported by the American College of Physicians, evidence reveals that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to receive inferi or care when compared with non-minorities. This occurs even when minorities have access to insurance and adequate income (Racial and ethnic disparities in health care, 2010). Disparities Barriers in health care can lead to disparities in meeting health needs and receiving appropriate care, including preventive services and the prevention of unnecessary hospitalizations (HealthyPeople.gov, 2012). In their 2008 annual report, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality lists several disparities’ in health care. They report that racial and ethnic minorities in the United StatesShow MoreRelatedBarriers And Disparities Of Health Care826 Words   |  4 PagesBarriers and Disparities in Healthcare Barriers to healthcare include factors that restrict or hinder people from receiving adequate and quality health care service. Health care disparities are those differences that negatively affects less advantaged group (Mehta, 2014). Health care barriers play a significant role in comprehending causes of disparities. This paper will discuss the obstacles and disparities that exist and affects healthcare. Barriers that Exist and Affected Healthcare FinancialRead MoreBarriers and Disparities for Patients Seeking Mental Health Care794 Words   |  3 Pages1. Discuss barriers and disparities for patients seeking mental health care. In a study done in 2007, titled Perceived Barriers to Mental Health Service Utilization in the United States, Ontario and the Netherlands (Sareen, Jagdeo, Cox, Clara, de Graaf Stein) it was reported that attitudinal barriers frequently cause Americans to not seek care for mental health issues. These barriers include thinking that the mental illness will fix itself and not believing that psychiatric care is helpfulRead MoreHealth Disparities And Health System Barriers1745 Words   |  7 Pagesdefines Health Disparities as â€Å"the inequalities that occur in the provision of health care and access to health care across different racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.† This means Health disparities are essentially discrepancies in the servicing of Healthcare as well as in access to healthcare amongst people of different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic groups. Health Disparities has many underlying factors that impact it, a factor in particular is Health system barriers. Health system barriersRead MoreLanguage And The Health Disparities1492 Words   |  6 Pagesnative language. Language is a major contribution to the health disparities that some populations face, because it makes it difficult for some patients to communicate their problems as well as understand the care they provided. Language contributes to the health disparities that some populations face because it creates a barrier between the patient and the care provider, making it difficult for a patient to receive proper care. Language barriers create a communication gap between a patient and a providerRead MoreHealth Care Disparities: Nurses Need to Care Essay1639 Words   |  7 PagesHealth Care Disparities: Nurses Need to Care The United States government spent 2.3 billion dollars in 2010 on federally funded healthcare initiatives and programs according to a report from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2008). Despite this astronomical amount of money, health care disparities continue to plague disadvantaged populations in the United States. A health care disparity is defined as differences in incidence, mortality, prevalence, disease burden, and adverse healthRead MoreThe Community Needs For Santa Rosa1183 Words   |  5 Pagesfastest. There are many health needs that must be focused on in order to promote better health to all of those residing in Santa Rosa. The main health needs for Santa Rosa include: healthy eating and physical fitness, gaps in access to primary care, access to substance use disorder services, barriers to healthy aging, access to mental health services, disparities in educational attainment, cardiovascular disease, adverse childhood experiences study, access to healt h care coverage, tobacco use, coordinationRead MoreThe Patient Protection Affordable Care Act Essay1476 Words   |  6 Pages The Patient Protection Affordable Care Act has only been extended to cover 32 million uninsured individuals mandates. The main issue of access to affordable care will be to exacerbated by limited community- based resources that provide preventive services, primary care access and the continuum care for patients with chronic conditions. There is a need to increase capacity to serve more patients, while improving outcomes and reducing cost. Health disparities in the U.S. range from HIV/ Aids toRead MoreHigh Rates Among Various Ethnic Backgrounds1060 Words   |  5 Pages Healthcare disparities exist at higher rates among various ethnic backgrounds as well as individuals with disabilities. Although receiving good healthcare should be a privilege, statistics have shown that social determinants such as poor education, low income, limited access to quality ca re, as well as environmental factors have contributed to healthcare disparities. If society could improve barriers like health education, communication, and healthcare cost, quality healthcare could be successfullyRead MoreThe Survival Rates Of Breast Cancer1373 Words   |  6 Pagesin women and second leading cause of death by cancer. Today, woman with breast cancer have a 90% chance of surviving for five years post-diagnosis. However, African American women have a national survival rate of 79%. Socioeconomic barriers and lack of access to health services have crippled African American women in breast cancer advancements. Studies have show that African American women tend to be diagnosed with a higher-stage of cancer because of the delay of being tested until it is late in theRead MoreEssay On Low Income Children1655 Words   |  7 Pages Obesity Rates in Low-Income Children Community and Global Health, NUR 355 University of Maine, Augusta Erica M. Merrell Obesity Rates in Low-Income Children All Americans are at risk of developing obesity, with an obesity rate of 36.5% of the population (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). The increase of obesity in the United States has led to the development of other costly comorbidities, such as diabetes, cardiovascular