Full Answer
Why focus on health care disparities?
There is a growing realization among healthcare researchers, clinicians, and advocates that a focus on health care disparities is an important aspect of improving healthcare outcomes and that activities toward improvement must bring together many elements of our healthcare delivery system.
How much money would eliminating health disparities save Medicare?
In a report issued in September, 2009, the Urban Institute calculated that the Medicare program would save $15.6 billion per year if health disparities were eliminated.
Why is reducing racial and ethnic health care disparities important?
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Care Disparities Is Essential for Better Health Care Outcomes and for Lowering Health Care Costs
Do Hispanic beneficiaries have less information about their doctors?
Results: Hispanic, black, and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) beneficiaries reported that their personal doctor had medical records and other relevant information about their care significantly less often than did non-Hispanic white beneficiaries (-2 points for Hispanics, -1 point for blacks, and -4 points for APIs on a 100-point scale).
Why is there a disparity in healthcare?
Many factors contribute to health disparities, including genetics, access to care, poor quality of care, community features (e.g., inadequate access to healthy foods, poverty, limited personal support systems and violence), environmental conditions (e.g., poor air quality), language barriers and health behaviors.
What are 3 things that have led to disparities in healthcare?
Advancing Health Equity Social, racial and economic inequities cause many examples of health disparities. Health care providers can engage with policymakers, urging action to help communities impacted by these factors.
What are disparities of health and why are they important to address?
A “health disparity” refers to a higher burden of illness, injury, disability, or mortality experienced by one population group relative to another. A “health care disparity” typically refers to differences between groups in health insurance coverage, access to and use of care, and quality of care received.
Who is most affected by health disparities?
NIH-designated U.S. health disparity populations include:American Indians/Alaska Natives.Asian Americans.Blacks/African Americans.Hispanics/Latinos.Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.Sexual and gender minorities.Socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.Underserved rural populations.
What are the 5 health disparities?
Race and ethnicity.Gender.Sexual identity and orientation.Disability status or special health care needs.Geographic location (rural and urban)
What are the main determinants in health disparities?
Health is influenced by many factors, which may generally be organized into five broad categories known as determinants of health: genetics, behavior, environmental and physical influences, medical care and social factors. These five categories are interconnected.
What is the cause and effect of health disparity?
Health disparities are the result of systemic conflict, as well as lack of resources and distribution of these resources to accommodate the population that is in need (10 facts on health inequities and their causes, 2017).
Why do health disparities exist quizlet?
Many sources-including health system,health care providers, patients, and utilization managers-may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. Bias, stereotyping, prejudice, and clinical uncertainty on the part of healthcare providers may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare.
How did health disparities start?
By the mid 19th century, large-scale epidemiologic evidence began to corroborate these early observations. In 1840, Edwin Chadwick, British civil servant and statistician, demonstrated mortality differentials between the social classes living in Liverpool, England.
Which of the following is an example of a health disparity?
Examples of Health Disparities Health disparities can be related to sex (male/female), race or ethnicity, income, education, sexual orientation or geography.
Which factors and conditions can lead to health disparities select all that apply?
Income status, health literacy, education level, ethnicity, and race are all factors or conditions that can contribute to health disparities.
What are health disparities in the United States?
For the purposes of this report, health disparities are differences that exist among specific population groups in the United States in the attainment of full health potential that can be measured by differences in incidence, prevalence, mortality, burden of disease, and other adverse health conditions (NIH, 2014).
Why are there health disparities?
Although it is commonly believed that health disparities occur simply because of a lack of health insurance and access to health care , disparities exist even after access to the health care system has been improved. New studies have shown, for instance, that there are stark differences in health outcomes of African American and Caucasian patients with the same conditions even when they are treated by the same doctor. Studies have also shown that diagnoses, treatments, and quality of care can vary greatly depending on a number of factors which affect minority communities including language barriers, lack of insurance coverage, and differential treatments based on the population group. [35]
What are the factors that influence low access to supermarkets?
Low-access to supermarkets is most heavily influenced by characteristics of neighborhood and household socioeconomic environments, such as the extent of income inequality, racial segregation, transportation infrastructure, housing vacancies, household deprivation, and rurality.
What is it called when people have poor access to fresh food?
Areas where people have poor access to fresh and healthy food are sometimes known as "food deserts .". People who live in food deserts are aware of their lack of accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables and indicate in surveys a desire to have good access to fresh produce.
What are food deserts?
[30] Residents of these neighborhoods must rely on small grocery stores or convenience stores, which carry few – if any – fresh fruits and vegetables. Areas where people have poor access to fresh and healthy food are sometimes known as "food deserts." People who live in food deserts are aware of their lack of accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables and indicate in surveys a desire to have good access to fresh produce. Thus, unhealthy eating is often the result of structural inadequacies in accessing healthy foods and not necessarily limited to personal dietary choices. [31]
What is the National Hispanic Medical Association?
The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) provides resources to advocates and providers in order to strengthen health care delivery to Hispanic communities. Here is a link for providers: http://www.nhmamd.org/index.php/resources-for-physicians (site visited June 10, 2015).
What is the Su Familia number?
Su Familia, the National Hispanic Family Health Helpline (1-866- SU FAMILIA or 1-866-783-2645 or [email protected]) has developed a bilingual health call number which can 1.) Help consumers navigate the American health care system, 2.) Find a bilingual provider in one’s area as well as 3.)
How can small scales help?
Small scales measures designed to improve access to healthy foods can help change dietary habits. The resulting change in diet for residents of former food deserts leads to better health outcomes and contributes to eliminating ethnic and racial health disparities.
The CONVENING REPORT
Health disparities exist throughout the US health care system, including within Medicare Advantage. Yet, there are unique opportunities for Medicare Advantage to tackle health disparities, as demonstrated in its ability to address many of the shortfalls in financing and delivery of care.
To read the full report and policy recommendations go to
https://www.bettermedicarealliance.org/newsroom/press-releases/better-medicare-alliance-issues-report-racial-ethnic-disparities-medicare