After studying Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following:
Based on viewing the Johnson & Johnson video, what are your thoughts about health care inequalities and the need for continuing reform?
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources
Health Care Inequalities and the Need for Continuing Reform
The Johnson & Johnson video on health care inequalities highlights the profound disparities that exist within the health care system and underscores the urgent need for continuing reform. Health care inequalities refer to the differences in access, quality, and outcomes of health care across different populations. These disparities are often driven by factors such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, geographic location, and insurance coverage.
Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities
One of the most glaring issues is the socioeconomic disparity in health care access and quality. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face significant barriers to accessing health care services, including lack of insurance, inability to afford out-of-pocket costs, and limited availability of services in their communities. This results in delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and poorer health outcomes. For instance, uninsured individuals are less likely to receive preventive services, such as cancer screenings and vaccinations, leading to higher rates of preventable diseases and deaths (Artiga & Hinton, 2018).
Racial and ethnic disparities are equally troubling. Studies have shown that minority populations, particularly African Americans and Hispanics, experience higher rates of chronic diseases, lower life expectancy, and poorer health outcomes compared to their white counterparts. These disparities are not solely due to socioeconomic differences but are also influenced by systemic racism and discrimination within the health care system (Williams & Cooper, 2019). For example, African American women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, a disparity linked to both socioeconomic factors and racial bias in health care delivery (Howell, 2018).
Geographic Disparities
Geographic disparities further complicate the landscape of health care inequalities. Rural areas often face a shortage of health care providers, limiting access to essential services. Residents in these areas may have to travel long distances to receive care, which can be particularly challenging for those with limited transportation options. Additionally, rural health care facilities may lack the resources and infrastructure to provide high-quality care, leading to worse health outcomes for rural populations (Rural Health Information Hub, 2020).
The Need for Continuing Reform
Addressing these inequalities requires comprehensive and sustained reform efforts. Health care reform should focus on expanding access to care, improving the quality of care provided, and addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to disparities.
- Expanding Access to Care: One of the key steps in reducing health care inequalities is ensuring that all individuals have access to affordable health insurance. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made significant strides in this direction by expanding Medicaid and providing subsidies for private insurance. However, millions of Americans remain uninsured or underinsured. Policymakers should work towards closing these coverage gaps through further Medicaid expansion, subsidizing insurance premiums, and exploring options for universal coverage (Guth et al., 2020).
- Improving Quality of Care: Quality improvement initiatives should focus on eliminating biases in health care delivery and ensuring that all patients receive evidence-based, patient-centered care. This includes implementing cultural competency training for health care providers, using data to identify and address disparities in care, and fostering a health care workforce that reflects the diversity of the patient population (Betancourt et al., 2016).
- Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Health is influenced by a wide range of social, economic, and environmental factors. Reform efforts should address these social determinants by investing in education, housing, transportation, and other areas that impact health. For example, policies that reduce poverty, improve education, and ensure safe housing can have a profound impact on health outcomes and reduce disparities (Braveman & Gottlieb, 2014).
Conclusion
The Johnson & Johnson video on health care inequalities serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges in achieving health equity. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes expanding access to care, improving the quality of care, and addressing the social determinants of health. By continuing to push for comprehensive health care reform, we can work towards a system that provides equitable care for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or geographic location.
References
Artiga, S., & Hinton, E. (2018). Beyond health care: The role of social determinants in promoting health and health equity. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from KFF
Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., & Carrillo, J. E. (2016). Cultural competence in health care: Emerging frameworks and practical approaches. The Commonwealth Fund. Retrieved from Commonwealth Fund
Braveman, P., & Gottlieb, L. (2014). The social determinants of health: It’s time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 129(Suppl 2), 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549141291S206
Guth, M., Garfield, R., & Rudowitz, R. (2020). The effects of Medicaid expansion under the ACA: Updated findings from a literature review. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from KFF
Howell, E. A. (2018). Reducing disparities in severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 61(2), 387-399. https://doi.org/10.1097/GRF.0000000000000349
Rural Health Information Hub. (2020). Healthcare access in rural communities. Retrieved from RHIhub
Williams, D. R., & Cooper, L. A. (2019). Reducing racial inequities in health: Using what we already know to take action. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(4), 606. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040606